Lewis Pullman just wrapped filming on one of Hollywood’s most unexpected sequels, and he’s still processing what happened.
The Thunderbolts* star recently completed work on Spaceballs 2, the long-awaited follow-up to Mel Brooks’ 1987 cult classic space satire.
But here’s what makes this project truly special: Lewis worked alongside his father, Bill Pullman, who’s reprising his iconic role as Lone Star from the original film.
And based on Lewis’s recent comments, the experience felt almost surreal.
A Father-Son Dream Realized
In a new interview with People, Lewis Pullman described the experience as nothing short of cosmic.
It was a dream come true. We just wrapped, and … every day was such a trip. It … felt like a bizarre simulation. I just couldn’t believe my luck.
The Lessons in Chemistry alum revealed that working with his father had been a long-held aspiration, making the Spaceballs 2 opportunity especially meaningful.
We’ve been wanting to do that [work together with father and original Spaceballs star Bill Pullman] forever and we never knew whether we could get the chance or not. And so doing it on a movie like Spaceballs 2 was just like, ‘What simulation … what world are we in right now?’
His disbelief is understandable. After nearly four decades, few expected Spaceballs to receive a sequel at all, let alone one that would bring together multiple generations of talent.
Hollywood’s Most Patient Sequel
First announced in summer 2024, Amazon MGM Studios’ Spaceballs 2 represents one of Hollywood’s longest gaps between original and sequel.
Production commenced in September under director Josh Greenbaum, who worked from a script co-written by Josh Gad alongside Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez.
The sequel reunites original cast members in their beloved roles:
- Rick Moranis returns as Dark Helmet
- Bill Pullman reprises Lone Star
- Daphne Zuniga returns as Princess Vespa
- Mel Brooks serves as original steward
New additions joining Lewis Pullman include Keke Palmer, Anthony Carrigan, and Josh Gad himself.
Mel Brooks’ Brilliant Announcement
When Brooks confirmed the project earlier this year, he did so in characteristically hilarious fashion—with a video parodying Star Wars’ iconic opening crawl.
The text brilliantly skewered Hollywood’s sequel obsession, noting that in 38 years since the original Spaceballs, there have been multiple Star Wars trilogies, prequels to sequels, sequels to prequels, and “countless TV spinoffs.”
Brooks’ announcement continued its satirical inventory:
- 2 Dunes
- 7 Jurassic Parks
- 5 total Avatars (2 released, 3 upcoming)
- 36 MCU movies featuring two different Robert Downey Jr.’s
- Multiple DCU attempts
- Various Lion King adaptations
- Harry Potter movies and TV series remaking those same movies
The crawl concluded with perfect comedic timing: “But in thirty-eight years there has only ever been one SPACEBALLS. Until now…”
From Box Office Flop to Cult Classic
The original Spaceballs served as a send-up of sci-fi cinema, creating an amalgam pastiche of iconic films from Star Wars to 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Upon release in 1987, the film grossed just over $38.1 million worldwide—modest numbers that didn’t suggest sequel potential.
Yet Spaceballs endured. Home video, cable television, and streaming platforms introduced new generations to Dark Helmet’s oversized headgear, Lone Star’s reluctant heroism, and Brooks’ signature blend of sophisticated wit and unabashed silliness.
The film transformed into a genuine cult classic, quotable and beloved by fans who grew up with it.
What Makes This Sequel Different
Legacy sequels have become Hollywood’s bread and butter, but Spaceballs 2 arrives with unique advantages.
First, timing matters. After 38 years, there’s exponentially more sci-fi content to satirize than in 1987. From cinematic universes to streaming series to reboots of reboots, modern Hollywood practically writes its own parody.
Second, Brooks’ involvement ensures the sequel maintains connection to the original’s comedic sensibility. At 98 years old, Brooks remains sharp and engaged.
Third, fresh talent balances nostalgia. While original cast members return, new additions like Lewis Pullman, Keke Palmer, and Anthony Carrigan bring contemporary energy.
The Challenge Ahead
Creating comedy sequels decades later carries inherent risks. Humor evolves, audiences change, and what landed perfectly in 1987 might feel dated today.
But Spaceballs 2 has something most legacy sequels lack: self-awareness. Brooks’ announcement video demonstrated that the creative team understands exactly what they’re doing—making a sequel that satirizes sequel culture itself.
That meta-awareness could prove essential. Rather than pretending 38 years haven’t passed, Spaceballs 2 acknowledges the absurdity and leans into it.
A Family Affair
For Lewis Pullman, though, all the meta-commentary and Hollywood satire takes backseat to something simpler: working with his dad.
His genuine enthusiasm and disbelief suggest Spaceballs 2 delivered something rare in modern blockbuster filmmaking—actual joy.
Whether audiences will share that joy when Spaceballs 2 arrives in 2027 remains to be seen.
But if Lewis Pullman’s reaction indicates anything, it’s that everyone involved created something special—a sequel 38 years in the making that somehow feels both perfectly timed and delightfully absurd.
May the Schwartz be with them.