Nearly 40 years after the beloved Star Wars franchise was playfully skewered in the 1987 parody hit Spaceballs, the sequel Spaceballs 2 is finally happening. Amazon MGM confirmed on Thursday that production was under way, along with new and returning cast members. While no plot details or release date have been released yet, there’s still plenty to talk about.
The original Spaceballs stars Bill Pullman (Lone Starr), Daphne Zuniga (Princess Vespa), George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz are returning, with Rick Moranis coming out of a nearly three-decade retirement to return as Dark Helmet. A quartet of new cast members join them — Josh Gad (who also co-writes and produces), Keke Palmer, Anthony Carrigan and Lewis Pullman, Bill’s son.
There has already been speculation about what characters the new cast members are playing, though there likely won’t be confirmation for quite some time. When the original Spaceballs debuted in 1987, there was only one Star Wars trilogy to play around with, but now there are so many more new characters who are ripe for parody.
Kylo Ren
Of all the characters who have debuted in the Star Wars universe since Spaceballs hit theaters, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) may be the most deserving of parody. The petulant son of Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) angered and annoyed fans throughout the sequel trilogy, and it would not be surprising if he was an early target.
Since Bill Pullman’s Lone Starr was essentially the Spaceballs version of Star Wars‘ Han Solo, it would be intriguing if his real son Lewis Pullman was portraying some version of Kylo Ren in Spaceballs 2.
It’s also possible that Anthony Carrigan could play a version of the Sith Lord, though, regardless of who plays him, Kylo’s bizarre arc in the sequel trilogy should be one of the first things skewered. Kylo Ren’s Spaceballs 2 name: Stylo Pen.
Rey
Daisy Ridley’s character was one of the pivotal figures in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, with LucasFilm president Kathleen Kennedy even referring to her as, “the new generation’s Luke Skywalker.” However, fans didn’t quite gravitate to Rey as they did to Mark Hamill’s character throughout the trilogy. Still, the Jakku scavenger may very well be a target in the sequel.
With Keke Palmer the only new female cast member announced thus far, it’s unclear if she will play Rey or another character in Spaceballs 2. Still, Rey, like Kylo, had a rather baffling arc throughout the sequel trilogy, from her connection to Kylo Ren to her family tree.
The character has more than enough fodder for parody, though it remains to be seen whether they will choose to skewer her. Rey’s Spaceballs 2 name: Bae.
Poe Dameron
If Rey was meant to be, “the new generation’s Luke Skywalker,” as Kathleen Kennedy put it, Oscar Isaac’s Poe Dameron was clearly meant to be the new generation’s Han Solo. The Resistance fighter pilot has the looks, the charm and the snark that befits the characterization of Han Solo, and, of course, the right jacket.
Poe had perhaps the meatiest and most congruent arc of any character in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, considered by some to be the most underrated character in all of Star Wars lore. He evolved from a simple fighter pilot to a true Resistance leader, though he’s still not above a good parody.
Still, it seems unlikely that any of the newly-announced cast members will play Dameron, but that doesn’t mean he won’t be showcased in Spaceballs 2. Poe Dameron’s Spaceballs 2 name: Crowe Cameron.
Finn
John Boyega’s Finn was perhaps the most talked-about character in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, and the actor has not minced words about how he felt the character was handled. While that doesn’t put Finn above parody, per se, there are many fans on Finn’s side and skewering him would have to be done with the utmost care.
Finn’s jumbled arc (like most of the sequel trilogy’s jumbled arcs) is largely due to the lack of a fortified plan going into the films, which sadly seemed to overshadow his true pᴀssion for the character and the franchise as a whole. Regardless, if Spaceballs 2 is in fact setting its sights on the sequel trilogy, Finn should be addressed.
Spaceballs 2 could just go full meta and have their version of Finn breaking the fourth wall and bemoaning how nothing he’s doing makes any sense. Finn’s Spaceballs 2 name: Binn
Maz Kanata
Lupita Nyong’o’s colorful character was a small but pivotal part of the sequel trilogy, helping to connect some of the dots for the main characters through her wealth of experience as a pirate, smuggler, and tavern owner. She was the sequel trilogy’s version of Yoda (kinda), and her bar was the sequel trilogy’s version of the Mos Eisley Cantina.
Her quirky ways and mannerisms are perfect for parody, and I could even see them breaking the fourth wall in another way. The character was first conceived as a puppet, and it would be humorous if characters come across this version of Maz, and it’s actually just a person using a hand puppet. Maz Kanata’s Spaceballs 2 name: Spaz Regatta.
The Mandalorian
Pedro Pascal’s Din Djarin a.k.a. The Mandalorian ushered in a new era for the Star Wars franchise, creating a beloved character that connects to the franchise without being overly reliant on fan service. Since he helped take Star Wars to new heights, that only sets him up for being knocked down a peg or two in Spaceballs 2.
Mando can be skewered in so many ways, from him never taking off the mask (perhaps the mask has a straw hole for his solely liquid diet), to his monotone delivery of every line, even him being a bounty hunter and still bringing this “kid” along. The Mandalorian’s Spaceballs 2 name: Spin Sparrin a.k.a. The Panderlorian.
Grogu
The most adorable thing, perhaps, in all of Star Wars history is the perfect target for parody. There are many ways to go about it. The most obvious would be to make this cute little thing a hideous monster. Another route would be to keep it a tiny cuddly creature, with a gross flaw: perhaps it can’t stop farting.
This has to be a no-brainer for Spaceballs 2, though it doesn’t have to be a pivotal part of the story. Perhaps they could just be patrons at Spaz Regatta’s intergalactic bar and the primary characters come across them on their journey to whatever. Grogu’s Spaceballs 2 name: Glow Goo.
Cara Dune
Poking fun at Cara Dune and her controversial portrayer, Gina Carano, almost seems too easy, but every parody sometimes just needs that simple lay-up. It could be as simple as this character saying something gross or inaccurate and when challenged by someone else, she gets mad and threatens to sue.
Again, like Pando and Glow Goo, a quick jab at Cara Dune doesn’t need to be a major part of the story. It could happen at Spaz Regatta’s bar, or just a random encounter out there in this universe. After all the controversy surrounding Carrano, while it may be too easy, it’s almost necessary. Cara Dune’s Spaceballs 2 name: Blah-ra Spoon.
K-2SO
The Alan Tudyk-voiced security droid was a welcomed addition to the Star Wars universe in Rogue One and its prequel series Andor. It’s almost the anтιтhesis of the skittish C-3PO, and its strength has helped the characters out of more than a few jams. Still, there’s plenty of fun to be poked at this towering droid.
One example could be that, like the real K-2SO, this version was also an Imperial droid that was reprogrammed for good, but perhaps the reprogramming is too effective. It would be funny to see this droid accost random strangers who perhaps get too close to the main characters, much to their chagrin and embarrᴀssment. K-2SO’s Spaceballs 2 Name: K-PAX.
Jar Jar Binks
Perhaps the most universally reviled character in Star Wars history, Jar Jar Binks needs to have some presence in Spaceballs 2. He went from a huge role in The Phantom Menace to a significantly reduced role in Attack of the Clones to a brief seconds-long cameo in Revenge of the Sith. This also may be too easy, but also necessary.
It could be as simple as a random character who speaks barely-comprehensible gibberish, or a clumsy sidekick. Yes, it’s reprehensible how poorly Ahmed Best was treated by Star Wars fans. He truly didn’t deserve that treatment, and it’s been nice to see the character and actor’s popularity resurgence in recent years.
Still, this character is in prime position to get raked over the proverbial coals in Spaceballs 2. Jar Jar Binks’ Spaceballs 2 name: Fur Fur Minks.
