The prediction has come true. As stated by Mel Brooks’ character Yogurt in the movie “Spaceballs” from 1987, “If everything goes as planned, we’ll see each other again in ‘Spaceballs 2: The Quest for More Money.’
In other words, when Brooks posted on Twitter “I told you we’d be back” together with a clip announcing a fresh Spaceballs installment, he wasn’t merely kidding. He had genuinely made that promise nearly four decades ago.
Check out the amusing video posted by Brooks, where he humorously mentions numerous sequels from various franchises, including Star Wars, that have emerged over the past four decades. He playfully mocked the Star Wars saga and the blockbuster trend in Hollywood of the late ’80s. Towards the end, it teases us with “The Schwartz returns in 2027.
— Mel Brooks (@MelBrooks) June 12, 2025
In the mid-1980s, after satirizing genres like westerns, horror films, and silent movies, Brooks decided to tackle “Star Wars.” This was when the buzz about the initial trilogy of films was at its peak. The movie featured Bill Pullman as a reluctant mercenary who saves a beautiful princess (Daphne Zuniga) in order to settle a debt with gangster Pizza the Hutt (Dom DeLuise). Brooks took on roles as both Yogurt, a stand-in for Yoda, and President Skroob, the unofficial leader of the project. In essence, you could say that Skroob made a reappearance in this film.
It’s worth mentioning that Brooks has discussed the idea of a Spaceballs sequel before; you can find articles about this project in ScreenCrush from as far back as 2015 and again in 2017. Interestingly, Brooks had previously produced an animated Spaceballs TV series in 2008, where he reappeared as characters Yogurt and Skroob. Notably, the original cast members, including Ricky Jay (Vespa), Joan Rivers (Dot), and Dom DeLuise (Pizza the Hutt), also returned for this series. However, it only lasted one season with 13 episodes.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Josh Greenbaum is set to direct the upcoming movie “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.” The screenplay is penned by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Josh Gad. Legendary actor Mel Brooks will portray Yogurt in the film and produce it along with Gad. At this point, there’s no information available about whether Gad himself will appear in the movie, or if other cast members from the original will reprise their roles for the sequel.
A portion of the initial cast from the movie “Spaceballs”, such as Rivers and John Candy, have tragically passed away. Rick Moranis, who portrayed the villain Dark Helmet in the film, left acting for many years but has recently come back timidly with only a few appearances. As of now, he’s barely been seen in any projects; however, there was once a potential sequel to “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” featuring Josh Gad that Moranis agreed to do, which hints at his possible return. If they could manage to include Rick Moranis in “Spaceballs 2”, it would be a significant achievement. The teaser does contain an image of Dark Helmet’s helmet, suggesting it might be plausible.
The 10 Most Uncomfortable Cringe Comedies
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
Film director Louis Buñuel was known for his surrealist and satirical style, frequently using his works as a platform for sharp social critique aimed at the upper class. His successful comedy “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie” was influenced by a distressing dream experienced by his producer Serge Silberman, in which he unknowingly overlooked a scheduled dinner party until his famished guests arrived at his doorstep. The movie chronicles a group of French nobles who intend to dine with the ambassador of a fictional South American nation. However, their endeavor to convene and enjoy a meal is constantly disrupted by factors such as empty restaurants, drug dealers, terrorists, potential affairs, and bizarre dreams.
The King of Comedy (1982)
The funniest form of awkward comedy occurs when it resonates with us on a personal level, and that’s exactly what “The King of Comedy” exploits. Its outlandish storyline revolves around an incredibly relatable situation: yearning for acceptance from someone more popular who seemingly ignores you. The character played by Robert De Niro, the irritating comedian Rupert Pupkin, resorts to drastic measures to gain recognition not only from his idolized late-night comedian (whom he eventually kidnaps and extorts for a spot on his show), but also from the world at large, seeking adoration that he desperately craves. It’s a scenario that we can all relate to in some way or another! Scorsese’s darkly amusing film presents a grim picture of what might happen if the most irritating person you know actually went to such lengths to gain attention, spewing awful jokes along the way.
Waiting for Guffman (1996)
Among Christopher Guest’s mockumentaries, it is “Waiting for Guffman” that stands out as the most awkwardly endearing. The story unfolds in the quaint town of Blaine, Missouri, where residents are working tirelessly to stage a musical, which the eccentric director Corky St. Clair believes is worthy enough for off-off-off-off-Broadway. Intriguingly, he invites his producer friend Mort Guffman to witness this spectacle. Despite the charming tunes like “My Bubba Made a Kishka” and “Stool Boom,” the rehearsals are plagued with mishaps, leading at one point for Corky to play multiple roles himself, donning costumes ranging from a rakish frontiersman to a young boy in a small hat and shorts.
Meet the Parents (2000)
In “Meet the Parents,” the shocking revelation that one character’s true name is Gaylord adds to the numerous awkward scenes that make the movie cringe-worthy. Despite this, the film remains one of the best comedies from the 2000s. Ben Stiller portrays Greg Focker, a man eager to gain the respect of his girlfriend’s stern father (Robert De Niro), who is not only a former CIA agent but also shows little interest in Greg’s efforts at bonding. Instead, he constantly undermines Greg, much to their mutual irritation. However, they eventually resolve their differences through an airport showdown, a misplaced bong, and countless hours of home video footage.
Borat (2006)
Regardless of whether you were a fan of “Da Ali G Show,” Borat, the eccentric Kazakh reporter character played by Sacha Baron Cohen, is undoubtedly familiar to many. In his self-titled movie, Borat embarks on a journey to America with the intention of creating a documentary about “the best country in the world.” Along the way, he becomes infatuated with Pamela Anderson and plans to marry her after his wife in Kazakhstan is tragically killed by a bear. While this serves as the movie’s premise, it primarily consists of amusing, unscripted footage of unsuspecting Americans interacting with Borat and his unusual behavior, Cohen maintaining the character throughout. Critics argue that Borat presents an unfair representation of Middle Easterners, though the film can also be seen as a reflection of the jingoistic American racism prevalent in the post-9/11 era.
Bridesmaids (2011)
Gatherings for bridesmaids are seldom the harmonious gatherings of female camaraderie that one might imagine. Instead, they often degenerate into bitter feuds and subtle power struggles as the participants negotiate their roles in the bridal party, concealing their disagreements from onlookers with varying degrees of effectiveness. For those who have experienced this, the film “Bridesmaids” strikes a chord, exposing a reality about wedding events that is often left unsaid. Kristen Wiig delivers a spot-on performance as the maid of honor who inexplicably feels overwhelmed by jealousy towards another woman’s friendship with her best friend and struggles to maintain composure throughout the weekend, resulting in numerous humorous breakdowns in public as she battles to keep her insecurities from ruining the entire wedding.
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013)
In the first feature film titled “Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa“, Steve Coogan’s character Alan Partridge, known for his tactless and self-centered radio persona, finally found himself in a heroic role. Traditionally portrayed as dim-witted, clumsy, and overly confident about his own importance and fame, Alan unwittingly becomes part of a hostage situation at his local radio station due to one of his ill-conceived plans. When another DJ loses his temper after learning about Alan’s underhanded attempts to get him fired, he takes the station and its employees hostage. The police, in need of assistance, enlist Alan as the hostage negotiator. During the standoff, Alan provides live radio updates, slips while attempting to exit through an open window, and is even shot twice. Despite these challenges, Partridge manages to come out on top.
Force Majeure (2014)
Force Majeure marked the advent of contemporary cringe comedy, offering a blend of dark humor that verges on unfunny yet remains peppered with uproariously funny moments depicting ordinary individuals succumbing to the weight of societal expectations. Set against the backdrop of a winter holiday in the French Alps, a man’s actions during an avalanche scare – prioritizing his own safety over that of his family – spark a chain of events that leave him grappling with self-doubt and questioning his masculinity and role as a patriarch. Director Ruben Östlund masterfully employs incisive social commentary, transforming a small misstep into a profound examination of human nature and societal norms.
The Lobster (2015)
Filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos shares some similarities with Ruben Östlund in terms of social commentary, but his approach is slightly more playful. His masterpiece, “The Lobster,” offers subtle insights into societal norms and the strictures of a demanding social contract. In this film, Colin Farrell portrays a recently single man residing in a hotel, where he must find a partner within 45 days or face transformation into an animal of his choosing – for Farrell’s character, a lobster. The movie paints a bleak picture of the extremes people will go to in order to be attractive to others, and it imagines what a world governed by absolute social rules might look like, where deviations are met with severe consequences.
Friendship (2024)
As a film enthusiast, I found Tim Robinson’s peculiar humor perfectly suited for the awkward comedy of “Friendship.” Instead of his typical barrage of nonsensical gags, he offers an all-too-familiar story about male loneliness and camaraderie. Taking on the role of Craig, a socially awkward middle-aged man, Robinson shares an unusual bond with his new neighbor, Austin – a hip local meteorologist and punk musician, portrayed by Paul Rudd.
However, my anxiety took over during a boys’ night out, and I inadvertently ruined everything. My subsequent attempts to regain Austin’s affection led me on a tumultuous journey of self-destruction: Stealing a gun, losing my wife in the town sewer system, shouting vulgarities at colleagues during an important meeting, and an explosive confrontation at a house party involving a surprising wig reveal.
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2025-06-12 20:25