Lewis Pullman is still processing the once-in-a-lifetime experience of shooting Spaceballs 2, the long-awaited sequel to Mel Brooks’ cult sci-fi parody. Speaking to People, the actor described the recently wrapped production as nothing short of extraordinary.
“It was a dream come true,” Pullman said, explaining that he often felt as though he was inside “a bizarre simulation.” He added, “We just wrapped, and every day was such a trip. I just couldn’t believe my luck.”
One of the most meaningful aspects of the project, Pullman shared, was finally getting the chance to work alongside his father, Bill Pullman, who reprises his role as Lone Star from the 1987 original. “We’ve been wanting to do that forever, and we never knew whether we could get the chance or not,” he said. “Doing it on a movie like Spaceballs 2 was just like, ‘What simulation… what world are we in right now?’”
First announced in summer 2024, the sequel, from Amazon MGM Studios, brings back several key members of the original cast: Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet, Bill Pullman as Lone Star, and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa. Mel Brooks, who shepherded the first film, is also returning. New cast members include Keke Palmer, Anthony Carrigan, and Josh Gad, who co-wrote the screenplay with Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez. Josh Greenbaum directed the film, which began production in September.
The announcement of Spaceballs 2 earlier this year came via a tongue-in-cheek video from Brooks, spoofing Star Wars’ iconic opening crawl and poking fun at Hollywood’s relentless sequel culture. The parody text listed decades of franchise expansions, from multiple Dune and Avatar instalments to MCU films and numerous Alien/Predator entries, before joking, “In thirty-eight years there has only ever been one SPACEBALLS. Until now…”
The original Spaceballs, a wild send-up of everything from Star Wars to 2001: A Space Odyssey, grossed over $38 million worldwide and grew into a decades-long cult favourite. Spaceballs 2 is set to arrive in 2027.
