Las Vegas witnessed a dose of cinematic nostalgia and irreverence as the cast and filmmakers behind the long-awaited "Spaceballs" sequel, including Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis, offered a first look at the satire during CinemaCon. The presentation, marked by its playful tone, hinted at a new era for the beloved parody.
A voiceover in the "Spaceballs" sizzle reel quipped, "With Hollywood studios merging willy nilly like middle-aged couples at a swingers party, Amazon acquired MGM and opened the vault."
Comedy legend Mel Brooks, appearing via video message, unveiled the sequel’s title: "Spaceballs: The New One." He humorously added, "It's just like the old one, but it's newer."
Brooks further explained that the film wasn't titled "Spaceballs: The Search for More Money" because he had already "found the money. It was in his basement."
His absence from Caesar's Palace was attributed to "seeing Phish at the Sphere." Rick Moranis's surprise appearance on stage drew a significant reaction, though his lines were intentionally cut short as part of a running gag. The film is slated for release next year.
The "Spaceballs" announcement was merely one highlight of Amazon MGM Studios’ extensive presentation to theater owners.
The studio also offered 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 directs and stars in the romantic art heist alongside Adria Arjona, was described as the newly minted best actor Oscar winner for his dual performance in "Sinners." Jon Batiste also shared a snippet of the score he is composing for the film.
Jordan expressed his long-standing connection to the project, stating, "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 infuse the style, sophistication, and rebellion he admired in previous iterations, while also crafting a character "someone you can root for."
Amazon MGM Studios garnered a warm reception from exhibitors, buoyed by their recent theatrical successes and a commitment to release 15 movies annually by 2027.
Their film "Project Hail Mary" continues its strong performance, having amassed over $515 million globally, and is set to return to IMAX theaters for a week.
Filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris Miller, joined by Ryan Gosling, made a surprise appearance to thank exhibitors, with Miller asserting, "This movie is now the biggest original movie of the year because you believed in it."
Further 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 saw first looks at Henry Cavill in "Highlander" and Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s psychological thriller "Verity."
Conspicuously absent from the announcements was any news regarding the James Bond franchise. Amazon acquired MGM in 2021 for $8.45 billion, largely due to the iconic 007 property.
Last year, the studio announced it had assumed 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.
However, 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."
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