Spaceballs II: The Search for More Money (Johnsonverse)

Spaceballs II: The Search for More Money is an upcoming 2022 satirical comic science fiction film co-written, produced and directed by Mel Brooks. It will star Brooks, Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, George Wyner, Will Sasso, and Melissa Rivers.

Production commenced in 2018. Before that, Brooks had expressed interest in doing a sequel to the original Spaceballs film. It will be released on June 24, 2022, exactly thirty-five years to the day the original film was released, and, like the original film, is planned to be a parody of science fiction, mostly Star Wars and Star Trek. It will also be the first film directed by Brooks since 1995's Dracula: Dead and Loving It.

Synopsis
Thirty-five years after the original Planet Spaceball's defeat in its attempt to steal the air of Druidia, a young mechanic living on a harsh desert planet teams up with a Druish spy and a pilot to defeat the Spaceballs, with the help of some old friends and her new mentor Yogurt. Meanwhile, the new Planet Spaceball hopes to counter this with Dark Helmet's new apprentice, someone who happens to idolize him.

Cast (tentative list)

 * Mel Brooks as President Skroob and Yogurt
 * Bill Pullman as Lone Starr
 * Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet
 * Daphne Zuniga as Queen Vespa
 * George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz
 * Will Sasso as Barf
 * Melissa Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix
 * Joan Cusack as the voice of Pasta the Hutt
 * Rudy De Luca as Vinnie
 * Vanessa Hudgens
 * Joey King
 * Joel Edgerton

Background
In 2013, Moranis revealed that a few years after the movie’s release, he and Brooks discussed a sequel titled Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II. However, the two were never able to agree on a deal.

In February 2015, Brooks publically expressed interest in a sequel. With the release of The Force Awakens later that year, Brooks figured it would be the perfect time to make a second film, though there were obstacles, such as getting the then-retired Rick Moranis to reprise his role as Dark Helmet, as Brooks refused to make the movie without him, and having to sign a deal with Disney to spoof Star Wars a second time, as Brooks sought approval from George Lucas to make the original.

In February 2016, mass numbers of teaser posters for the sequel appeared in New York City. However, this turned out to be a publicity stunt from the artist.

In May 2017, Brooks, while hosting a screening of Young Frankenstein, was asked by an audience member if the sequel would ever come true. He responded that, with the success of The Force Awakens and Rogue One, and new films on the horizon such as The Last Jedi and Fett, the series exploded in popularity again. Brooks also revealed that MGM and Johnson Studios expressed interest in a sequel, further revealing that discussions were in place concerning a third Spaceballs film.

Official announcement
In a joint press conference held on September 1, 2018, Brooks, Johnson, and Goldberg, along with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's COO Chris Brearton, officially announced production on a Spaceballs sequel. Fan response was unanimously positive.

Principal photography
Principal photography will commence in November 2020. It will take place at the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City, California. Location shoots will take place in early to mid-2021.

Special effects
The special effects, like the original film, will be done at Industrial Light & Magic. For the character Barf, John Candy's face will be CG'd on. Much of the effects used will be models, go-motion, puppetry, animatronics, and pyrotechnics.

Music
The soundtrack will be composed by Hummie Mann and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra. Mann has previously collaborated with Brooks in films like Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Dracula: Dead and Loving It.