Lewis Pullman is set to join his father, Bill Pullman, in the highly anticipated sequel, Spaceballs 2, which continues the legacy of the beloved 1987 film. Although it’s uncertain whether the sequel will carry the tongue-in-cheek title Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money, principal photography has recently wrapped, bringing fans one step closer to witnessing this comedic return to the galaxy far, far away.
Despite not yet having met the legendary Mel Brooks, who created the original Spaceballs nearly four decades ago, Lewis Pullman revealed that he received a heartfelt gift from Brooks when he was cast in the film. During his promotional tour for his upcoming film, The Testament of Ann Lee, Pullman shared his excitement about the casting experience. On a recent appearance on The View, Lewis noted, “Mel didn’t come out. He’s a homebody, but he was definitely a part of it. His spirit was there, he was part of the design of it. He launched us!”
Altogether, the 99-year-old Brooks is actively involved in this sequel. He co-wrote the script alongside Josh Gad, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez, and he will reprise his iconic roles as Yogurt and President Skroob. While Lewis Pullman didn’t have the chance to work with Brooks directly during filming, it raises questions about how their collaboration was structured, given Brooks’ age and potential limitations on set.
Interestingly, when Pullman received the role of Starburst, son of Bill Pullman’s character Lone Starr and Daphne Zuniga’s Queen Vespa, he found himself deeply connected to the spirit of Spaceballs. “I still haven’t met him, but when he sent me the role, I got a voice note from him. I wish you could frame a voice note,” he expressed, noting how much the original film meant to him growing up. He reminisced about watching the movie as a child and contrasting it with other space adventure films.
This marks a joyful milestone for the Pullman family, as this film will be their first acting collaboration since 2017’s The Ballad of Lefty Brown. The sequel promises to bring back familiar faces, including Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and George Wyner as Colonel Sanders, alongside newcomers such as Keke Palmer and Anthony Carrigan.
Spaceballs 2, directed by Josh Greenbaum, is scheduled for release in 2027, giving fans of the franchise time to celebrate the new addition. For those looking to revisit the original film, it is currently available for streaming on AMC+, which can be accessed via an Amazon Prime Video subscription. In the meantime, audiences can catch Lewis Pullman in theaters starting December 25 in The Testament of Ann Lee, highlighting an exciting time for both the actor and his family’s legacy in film.