Las Vegas was treated to a mix of nostalgia and humor as the cast and crew of the long-awaited “Spaceballs” sequel made an appearance at CinemaCon. Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis were among those present, offering a glimpse into the satirical film that has been highly anticipated by fans. The event showcased the playful tone of the movie, hinting at a new chapter for the beloved parody.
During the presentation, a voiceover in the sizzle reel joked, “With Hollywood studios merging willy nilly like middle-aged couples at a swingers party, Amazon acquired MGM and opened the vault.” This line set the stage for what promises to be a comedic take on the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry.
Mel Brooks, the comedy legend behind the original “Spaceballs,” appeared via video message to reveal the title of the sequel: “Spaceballs: The New One.” He added humorously, “It’s just like the old one, but it’s newer.” Brooks also mentioned that the film wasn’t called “Spaceballs: The Search for More Money” because he had already found the money—hidden in his basement.
His absence from Caesar’s Palace was due to attending a Phish concert at the Sphere. Rick Moranis made a surprise appearance on stage, which generated a strong reaction from the audience. However, his lines were intentionally cut short as part of a running gag. The film is expected to hit theaters next year.
The announcement of “Spaceballs” was just one of many highlights during Amazon MGM Studios’ presentation to theater owners. The studio also shared initial glimpses of Peter Farrelly’s Sylvester Stallone biopic, “I Play Rocky,” and Michael B. Jordan’s take on “The Thomas Crown Affair.”
Jordan, who both directs and stars in the romantic art heist, described his connection to the project, saying, “I’ve been daydreaming about making this movie for years.” He recalled watching the 1999 version at age 12, noting, “It left a very big impression on me.”
For his rendition, Jordan aims to bring the style, sophistication, and rebellion he admired in previous versions while creating a character that audiences can root for. Amazon MGM Studios received a warm reception from exhibitors, bolstered by their recent theatrical successes and plans to release 15 movies annually by 2027.
Their film “Project Hail Mary” continues to perform strongly, having earned over $515 million globally, and will return to IMAX theaters for a week.
Phil Lord and Chris Miller, along with Ryan Gosling, made a surprise appearance to thank exhibitors. Miller stated, “This movie is now the biggest original movie of the year because you believed in it.” Additional previews included the summer He-Man movie “Masters of the Universe,” starring Nicholas Galitzine, and the family film “The Sheep Detectives,” featuring Galitzine, Hugh Jackman, and Nicholas Braun.
Pete Davidson and David Leitch presented their “gonzo action pic” “How to Rob a Bank,” with Davidson declaring, “This movie is totally (expletive) insane.”
Audiences also got their first look at Henry Cavill in “Highlander” and Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s psychological thriller “Verity.”
However, there was no news regarding the James Bond franchise, despite Amazon’s acquisition of MGM in 2021 for $8.45 billion, largely due to the iconic 007 property. Last year, the studio announced it had taken creative control, with longtime custodians Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli stepping back, and Denis Villeneuve tapped to direct the next installment, produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
Details about the next Bond film, including who will portray the agent, remain scarce. Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM’s head of film, assured, “we’re taking time to do this with care and deep respect.”
