Josh Gad Says It's Been 'Incredible' Working with Mel Brooks onSpaceballsSequel: He 'Is 98 Years Young'

Mar. 15, 2025

Josh Gad in New York City on Dec. 5, 2023; Mel Brooks in London on Feb. 12, 2017.Photo:Jason Mendez/Getty, Mike Marsland/WireImage

Jason Mendez/Getty, Mike Marsland/WireImage

Working with comedy legendMel Brookshas been nothing short of an honor forJosh Gad.

While promoting his new children’s bookPictureFace Lizzyon Sirius XM’sLet’s Talk Off Camera with Kelly Ripapodcast, Gad said collaborating with Brooks onSpaceballs 2has “been incredible” so far.

“Mel is 98 years young and I can’t go into detail just how involved he is, but let’s say very, and it’s been such a thrill to get to see him literally still on form in every single way,” said the actor, 43. “He is so effortlessly funny and so unbelievably brilliant.”

Gad co-wrote the script and will also star and co-produce the upcoming film, which will serve as a sequel to the 1987 space-opera parodySpaceballs.

Announcing the project in June, theFrozenvoice actor also revealed Brooks — who directed, co-wrote and starred in the original film — would be involved in the new one in some capacity.

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Gad revealed how his initial pitch to Brooks went during his interview withKelly Ripa, recalling, “When we were pitching him the original conceit for what we wanted to do with the film, at the beginning, he goes, “I’m just telling you now, I want you to really go into detail. Because I don’t know a lot about the newStar Warsfilms.”

TheBook of Mormonalum said he then pitched Brooks “for 40 minutes,” joking to Ripa, 53, that he felt like “a combat vet just going to war in front of one person.”

“I’m sweating. I am getting into every line and every beat and every comedic set piece, every reveal,” Gad continued. “And I’m painting all of it, and I’m speaking to like, how this speaks to a certainStar Warsmoment, etc.”

After a “silence” from Brooks as he took it all in, “He goes, ‘Wow, Josh, it really sounds like you’ve got your finger on the pulse,’ " the actor said. “I was like, okay. That is, that is the greatest compliment I could have ever gotten, even though there’s no context for it for Mel.”

“He really just trusted everything I had to say,” Gad added.

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Spaceballsfeatured an unforgettable cast, includingBill Pullman,Joan Rivers,John Candy,Daphne ZunigaandRick Moranis. Despite its humble box-office haul, the film has become a cult classic, celebrated for its sharp wit and satirical take on the space-opera genre.

Starr says, “I wonder if we’ll ever see each other again,” to which Yogurt replies, “God willing, we’ll all meet again inSpaceballs 2: The Search for Money.”

On Brooks' 98th birthday this June, Gad posted a tribute to “my idol, my friend and my creative partner,“alongside a photoof the pair with collaborators Kevin Salter and Josh Greenbaum.

“I love you more than words Mel,” he added. “You my friend are the King and man does it still show 98 years in, ‘it’s good to be the King.’ 👑 Love you.”

source: people.com