Mel Brooks, the incomparable comedy legend who directed, co-wrote, and starred in the original 1987 sci-fi spoof classic Spaceballs, made sure that his iconic character, Yogurt, would officially be part of the upcoming sequel by insisting that his scenes be filmed first. Now 100 years old, Brooks approached the production with his signature pragmatic humor, ensuring his inclusion in the long-awaited follow-up before the main photography schedule got underway.
The behind-the-scenes revelation came to light during this past weekend’s 90s Con, where actress Daphne Zuniga shared details about the production of Spaceballs: The New One with attendees. According to Zuniga, Brooks was heavily involved in the creative development of the sequel, working directly with the writers to help shape the new story while leaving his unmistakable comedic influence all over the project.
"We filmed Spaceballs: The New One that Mel Brooks worked with the writers on. He’s a big influence in it. He filmed his part already before we shot. It was his idea: ‘You better film me now because I’m 100.’ So we did," Zuniga revealed, highlighting the filmmaker’s self-aware wit and proactive approach to his own mortality and career legacy.
Brooks’ precautionary measure guarantees that fans of the original cinematic parody will get to see the return of the wise, merchandising-obsessed sage Yogurt, a role Brooks originated alongside his dual performance as the powerful leader of planet Spaceballs, President Skroob. The foresight ensures that even at a century old, the EGOT-winning mastermind behind Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers remains an active participant in his own cinematic universe.
The production, which is steadily generating substantial excitement across fandoms, brings back several key figures from the 1987 original alongside a wave of fresh faces. Daphne Zuniga officially reprises her beloved role as Princess Vespa, who has since ascended to the throne as Queen. Joining her is original co-star Bill Pullman, who returns as the space-faring rogue Lone Starr.
In a clever bit of casting that bridges generations, Bill Pullman’s real-life son, Lewis Pullman, has joined the cast to play Lone Starr and Queen Vespa’s on-screen child, Prince Starburst. Meanwhile, comedy icon Rick Moranis is also returning to the fold, reprising his unforgettable role as the helmet-wearing villain Dark Helmet. Moranis will once again be paired with George Wyner, who returns as Dark Helmet’s long-suffering and perpetually exasperated flunky, Colonel Sandurz.
The star-studded ensemble cast for the sequel further expands with the additions of Josh Gad, who takes on the role of Mawg—a character paying homage to John Candy’s classic half-man, half-dog creation Barf—alongside Keke Palmer as Destiny and Anthony Carrigan in an undisclosed role.
The promotional rollout for Spaceballs: The New One has leaned heavily into the self-referential absurdity that defined the original film, treating the marketing campaign as an extension of the satire. So far, the studio’s publicity efforts have spoofed an elaborate 11-film slate for a fictional "Spaceballs Cinematic Universe," offered fans a tongue-in-cheek look at a modernized, digitally rendered Yogurt featuring absurdly ripped abs, and released a clever promotional image that parodied the famous table-read photograph for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Behind the camera, the sequel is being steered by director Josh Greenbaum, whose previous work includes Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. The screenplay is penned by the writing team of Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez, known for their work on Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy and TMNT: Mutant Mayhem, alongside actor and writer Josh Gad, who is helping shape the comedic direction of the project.
Amazon MGM Studios is currently handling the production and distribution pipeline for Spaceballs: The New One, with a theatrical release tentatively plotted for 2027. As production moves forward, the early completion of Mel Brooks’ scenes stands as both a practical safeguard and a touching reminder of the enduring dedication of one of Hollywood’s greatest living comedy pioneers, ensuring that Yogurt will live on to dole out more merchandise and merchandising-related wisdom for a brand-new generation of moviegoers.
