Arriving on Disney+ on April 6 with the first two episodes (and six more to follow on a mostly weekly schedule) is ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’, the latest step in Dave Filoni’s animated adventures set in the galaxy far, far away.
While his recent promotion to joint chief of Lucasfilm means he won’t have quite as much time to play in the ‘Star Wars’ sandbox, Dave Filoni is still enjoying the chance to expand the reach of George Lucas’ creation, this time continuing the story of the former Darth Maul.
By layering in crime thriller genre tropes and adding more to Maul himself, Filoni has delivered another smaller-scale animated success.
Working with Matt Michnovetz to develop the series, Filoni blends the likes of ‘Heat’ with the ‘Star Wars’ milieu for a fun mix that gives Maul fans (yes, we know you’re out there) plenty to enjoy.
And beyond the lead, there are several compelling characters contained within superior scripts.
On the directorial front, supervising director Brad Rau brings a stylish noir touch to the show, while also keeping it of a piece with previous animated outings.
Sam Witwer continues to find interesting new directions to take his character, and has really owned the role. Aside from him, Wagner Moura is good value as hard-bitten police detective Brander Lawson, aided by sidekick droid Two-Boots, voiced by a game Richard Ayoade.
On the villainous side, Filoni continues his obsession with comedy droids, with this show’s MVP being Spybot (David W. Collins), a cackling delight.
Even if you only know Maul from ‘The Phantom Menace’, chances are you will find something to enjoy here –– the action is intense, the characters compelling and the show as a whole fits well into the ‘Star Wars’ universe while also feeling fresh.
‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’ receives 75 out of 100.
What’s the plot of ‘Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord’?
Set after the events of ‘Star Wars: The Clone Wars,’ this pulpy adventure finds Maul plotting to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a planet untouched by the Empire. There, he crosses paths with a disillusioned young Jedi Padawan who could be the apprentice he is seeking to aid him in his relentless pursuit for revenge.
The latest trailer for new release ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ reveals that Scorsese is among those lending his voice to a character from the movie.
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Jon Favreau directs ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’, which expands on the TV series he created with Dave Filoni (essentially, this is a new season of the show adapted into a big-screen adventure featuring Pedro Pascal’s stoic warrior and his diminutive, pop cultural icon of a sidekick.)
Set in the chaotic period following ‘Return of the Jedi,’ the movie continues the show’s story: the evil Empire has fallen, and Imperial warlords remain scattered throughout the galaxy. As the fledgling New Republic works to protect everything the Rebellion fought for, they have enlisted the help of legendary Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu.
Who is Martin Scorsese voicing in ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’?
Scorsese voices a CG-crafted Ardennian shopkeeper who Mando approaches to seek information. But upon learning he’s searching for a Hutt gangster (specifically, Jabba’s son), he’s quick to close up shop.
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ will fly on to screens on May 22.
‘The Mandalorian and Grogu’ opens in theaters on May 22, 2026.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Jonathan Tropper about his work on ‘The Wrecking Crew’, developing the script with Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista, writing for them specifically, the buddy cop genre, balancing the comedy and action, director Ángel Manuel Soto’s contributions to the script, and how he feels about actors improvising on set.
Tropper also discussed his work on the upcoming ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, what it’s like writing a ‘Star Wars’ movie, what fans can expect from the new film, and what will surprise them the most.
‘The Wrecking Crew’ screenwriter Jonathan Tropper.
Moviefone: To begin with, I understand that you developed the idea for the movie with Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista. Can you talk about that and what it’s like writing specifically for them?
Jonathan Tropper: We all worked together on a show called ‘See’ on Apple TV, and that’s where I really discovered them. ‘See’ was a pretty serious drama. I mean, it was an action show, but it was a lot of drama. Their roles were very heavy and very dramatic. But the minute the camera stopped rolling; they were just so funny. The banter between them, their appreciation for comedy, and their love for comedy. They both have this desire not to just be seen as monolithic action heroes, but to also do human characters and do comedy. So, we had talked a lot about that, and we had also all discovered our mutual love for the action movies of the late ‘80s and the early ‘90s, in particular Shane Black’s movies. So, we’d always talked about stuff like that. Then we went our separate ways after the show and staid loosely in touch but forgot about it. Then Dave put out that Tweet, which started the whole ball rolling again. I don’t remember who reached out to who first, but I remember in speaking to Jason, he already had a strong idea of wanting it to be estranged brothers, he wanted them to be dealing with daddy issues and he wanted it in Hawaii. He wanted to really show the underbelly of Hawaii and not to show the touristy version of Hawaii. So that was already in place. Dave had some ideas about his character as well. I took that whole thing and then began creating the story. I went out to Hawaii and Jason knows a lot of people out there. I was able to meet a lot of people, see the important places and learn some of the history so that I knew how to weave in what I needed to weave in. It just felt very organic, and it happened quickly. From the time Dave put out that Tweet, to the time we were out there pitching it and selling it and then writing it and making it. As far as movie development goes, it happened fast.
MF: The movie gives off major ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Tango & Cash’ vibes. Can you talk about your love for the buddy cop genre and other films that influenced you?
JT: I think ‘Lethal Weapon’ was a big influence for us, for sure. I think that’s the one where we all kept saying “’Lethal Weapon’ in Hawaii, right?” We all talked about that and ‘48 Hrs.’ and even movies like ‘Running Scared’. I know Ángel our director has mentioned that movie once or twice. But it’s movies that retain the grit of an action drama while you’re doing comedy. There’s just a great dissonance to the comedy being put in this gritty setting, which is something I’ve loved about all those movies. It’s life or death stakes. It’s gritty, it’s dirty. The action is, incredibly visceral and at the same time, it’s funny. So, I think there’s a rich history. We certainly didn’t invent or even reinvent the genre, and we kind of leaned into the tropes of it. We just wanted to celebrate it.
MF: Can you also talk about the tone of the script and finding the right balance between action and comedy?
JT: For me, it always starts with character, and these are two brothers who have a share trauma that goes back to their childhood that instead of bringing them together has torn them apart. So, that’s the beating heart of the movie. I think Jason and Dave’s performances really do convey that. For me, that was always the most important part, the comedy, you could always dial that up or down in the dialogue and in the set pieces, but to me, the most important part was to make sure the beating heart of the movie was the relationship between these two brothers. So that’s where I put my primary focus and having just worked with those guys for a long time, I kind of know the rhythms of their speech. So, it was fun to write for them but that was the easy part. The important part was just tracking their emotional journey together.
MF: I was surprised by how funny Jason and Dave are in the movie? Did you realize how funny they were, and did you play into when writing the script?
JT: Yeah, that’s what I discovered on set when we were doing ‘See’, was like they were doing such heavy dramatic stuff, but the minute the camera stopped rolling, they’re funny guys. They love being funny. They don’t want to be seen it as monolithic action heroes. They want to be seen as actors. They love comedy and I know Dave’s also doing a lot of drama now. I think, like everyone else, they just want to be pushed creatively into areas that they don’t normally get to do. Jason’s been doing a bunch of companies lately, but I think together the distance between the two characters leads to a lot of comedy.
(L to R) Jonathan Tropper, Angel Manuel Soto, Jacob Batalon, Lynn Harris, Jeffrey Fierson, Morena Baccarin and Jason Momoa attend the Amazon MGM Studios ‘The Wrecking Crew’ New York red carpet screening event on Thursday, January 15, 2026 in New York.
MF: Actor Jacob Batalon has said that he improvised a lot on the set of this movie. As a screenwriter, how do you feel about actors improvising and not saying the words you wrote?
JT: I’ve been lucky that in most cases, they follow the basic rhythms of the script, but bring their own imprimatur to it. Jacob is a funny guy, and I’m always happy to take credit for good improvising. If it doesn’t work out, and sometimes it doesn’t, then it’s the editor’s job and the director’s job to figure out what works and what doesn’t. But the kind of improvising Jacob was doing, I never could have written for him because I didn’t know him. I didn’t know his voice. I don’t have his history. But he was doing something that was authentic to who he is and who that character was and so it only made it better, I think.
MF: Can you talk about working with director Ángel Manuel Soto and did he have ideas that you added to the script?
JT: Ángel is a very powerful creative force. He comes in with a lot of ideas, and he’s also willing to go the distance on ideas before he figures that out if they work or not. So, there was a lot of work with Ángel, and I even went out to New Zealand to do work with him. But there’s a lot of trying things and there’s a lot of exploring things. I know Ángel saw a lot of similarities between Puerto Rico and Hawaii in terms of their histories. It was important to him that we capture some of that in the script. So, I think the real work for me began then because writing the first draft was almost too easy. When he came on board and started pulling threads and trying to really find what he wanted. It led to a lot of great stuff, and it was a lot more work. I’ll also tell you that I had written that whole car chase with the helicopter and everything. But then he sits down and goes, “Well, let’s put these guys on a motorcycle,” and he came up with a whole addition to it. The whole middle section of that action set piece was all his idea. He has a good eye for action. I think this script was important to him for a lot of reasons.
(L to R) Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on the set of ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’. Photo: Shawn Levy/Instagram.
MF: You wrote the upcoming ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, directed by Shawn Levy. What was it like for you writing a ‘Star Wars’ movie and getting to “play in that sandbox”?
JT: It is every bit as exciting as I hoped it would be, and it is also a lot more work than I thought it would be. It was really one of the probably toughest, most rewarding jobs I’ve ever had. It’s just so much bigger than anything I’ve done because of the history, because of the mythology, and because of the apparatus that comes with it. It was always exciting and had a million pinch me moments but at the same time, it was a lot of work.
MF: Finally, what should ‘Star Wars’ fans expect from the new film, and what do you think will surprise them the most?
JT: I would say that fans should expect something new and different, but in very much the spirit of the original ‘Star Wars’ movies. We really wanted adventure, excitement, wish fulfillment and the joy that we felt as little kids seeing those first versions of the movies. Anything that grows for generations develops a lot more mythology and weight in history. I think we just wanted to go back to the joy and excitement of how it felt when we were kids seeing these movies.
Two half-brothers, a loose cannon cop (Jason Momoa) and a disciplined Navy SEAL (Dave Bautista), must work together to unravel a conspiracy behind their father’s murder in Hawaii.
(Left) ‘Maul: Shadow Lord’s Dave Filoni at Lucasfilm Animation’s 20th Anniversary at Star Wars Celebration 2025 in Chiba, Japan. Photo by Christopher Jue/Getty Images for Disney. (Right) President of Lucasfilm Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2023.
Preview:
Kathleen Kennedy is officially stepping down as president of Lucasfilm.
Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan will become co-presidents.
The next ‘Star Wars’ movie, ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu,’ is due in May.
There is big news coming from Lucasfilm, the company that produces the ‘Star Wars’ movies and TV shows.
After plenty of speculation across the last year or so, company president Kathleen Kennedy, who has run it for 14 years, has confirmed she’ll step down.
The new President/Chief Creative Officer is ‘The Mandalorian’ co-creator Dave Filoni, who has been Lucasfilm EVP and Chief Creative Officer. Serving as Lucasfilm’s new Co-President is Lynwen Brennan, the longtime President & GM of Lucasfilm Business.
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Filoni, of course, has long been involved with ‘Star Wars,’ having been recruited by Lucas to work on animated adventures, but earning his stripes working alongside Jon Favreau on the expanding small-screen universe.
Kennedy, who turns 73 this year, is likely looking to work on projects that don’t generate the ire that more recent developments in ‘Star Wars’ fandom have (let’s be honest here –– Filoni and Brennan are unlikely to stop hearing from dissatisfied fans) and instead return to working more as a producer alongside husband and business partner Frank Marshall.
After all, she had a long-established career producing a variety of movies before Kennedy joined Lucasfilm in 2012 as co-chair alongside ‘Star Wars’ creator George Lucas.
Shortly after, Lucas exited his post as Disney acquired the company for $4 billion, and Kennedy was elevated to president.
Since then, she has steered the franchise ship through highs (the $2 billion success of ‘The Force Awakens,’ the small screen universe-building of ‘The Mandalorian’) and lows (‘Solo: A Star Wars Story,’ lesser-performing Disney+ series such as ‘The Acolyte’).
Who is Lynwen Brennan?
(L-R) Ron Howard, Lynwen Brennan, Phil Tippett, Rose Duignan, Joe Johnston and Dennis Muren attend the “Light & Magic” presentation at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, California on May 27, 2022. The ILM documentary series premieres exclusively on Disney+ July 27, 2022. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney).
Brennan joined Industrial Light & Magic in 1999, rising through the ranks to become ILM President in 2009 (including Skywalker Sound), Lucasfilm EVP/General Manager in 2015, and President & General Manager, Lucasfilm Business, in 2024.
She leads Lucasfilm’s business strategy and franchise and production operations and has overseen ILM’s expansion into several studios worldwide, establishing it as the industry’s preeminent VFX studio at the forefront of production technology.
The new join initiative sounds a lot like the DC Studios split in duties between James Gunn, who handles the creative side and Peter Safran, who tackles business issues.
What’s happening in the on-screen ‘Star Wars’ universe?
Big screen Mando spin-off ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ is first among ‘Star Wars’ equals right now, having shot last year and now speeding through post-production for a release on May 22. That will be followed by Shawn Levy’s ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, which stars Ryan Gosling and is scheduled for May 28 next year.
Filoni is still putting the pieces together for his own film (though that might be on hold given the new gig unless he goes the Gunn route and keeps writing and directing projects), and there are a variety of others in different stages of development.
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
The movie would have been Ben (AKA Kylo Ren) secretly surviving the events of ‘Skywalker’ and going on a quest for redemption.
Here’s what Driver said about a potential return:
“I always was interested in doing another ‘Star Wars.’ I had been talking about doing another one since 2021. Kathleen Kennedy had reached out. I always said: ‘With a great director and a great story, I’d be there in a second.’ I loved that character and loved playing him.”
(L to R) Adam Driver and Daisy Ridley in ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ Photo: Lucasfilm.
As Driver tells it, he, Soderbergh, Blunt (who helped rough out the story) and Burns (who wrote a draft) came up with the idea –– no word on how Solo survives after seemingly dying in ‘Skywalker,’ but if Palpatine can return, who knows? –– and took it to Kennedy, Dave Filoni and Carrie Beck at Lucasfilm, who all loved the idea.
But the space-buck doesn’t stop with them, and the group then had to sell Disney on the idea.
Here’s Driver on how that went:
“We took it to Bob Iger and Alan Bergman, and they said no. They didn’t see how Ben Solo was alive. And that was that.”
And this is what Soderbergh told the AP of his regrets for the unmade movie:
“I really enjoyed making the movie in my head. I’m just sorry the fans won’t get to see it.”
Anthony Carrigan on HBO’s ‘Barry.’ Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.
Preview:
Anthony Carrigan is the latest recruit for the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel.
Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga are aboard to reprise their roles.
Josh Greenbaum is directing for Amazon/MGM.
After years as a rumor and in development, the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel just hit Ridiculous Speed. Or at least, production speed, as shooting is now kicking off on the continuation of the space satire/farce co-created by Mel Brooks in 1987.
Brooks is back in the dual role of the nefarious President Skroob and wise sage Yogurt, while the likes of Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga are returning to their parts. Most surprisingly Rick Moranis –– who has been retired from on-screen work for years –– has been tempted back to play Vader-spoofing villain Dark Helmet.
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And via an announcement from Amazon MGM Studios, which is backing the new movie, we know that Anthony Carrigan (‘Barry’) is among the newer faces joining for this go-around (more on the others below).
(L to R) Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
The original ‘Spaceballs’, directed by Brooks from a script he wrote with Thomas Meehan and Ronny Graham, starred Pullman as Lone Starr, a scruffy hero in the Han Solo mold who has to stop the nefarious President Skroob from stealing the atmosphere of the peaceful planet Druidia.
Along the way, he comes to the aid of Vespa (Zuniga) and her sarcastic robot maid Dot Matrix (voiced by Joan Rivers). John Candy played Starr’s faithful half-man/half-dog sidekick Barf.
As for the new movie, it’s predictably wrapped in mystery, with the official logline going for a joke: “the title is rumored to be the name of the movie, and plot details are being described as information about what happens in the story.”
And Brooks has previously described it thusly:
“A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.”
Alongside the veteran cast (and now Carrigan), we can also expect to see Josh Gad, Keke Palmer and, keeping it in the family, ‘Thunderbolts*’Lewis Pullman, son of Bill, playing Starburst, his on-screen spawn.
Who is making the new ‘Spaceballs’?
(L to R) Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Josh Greenbaum, who made ‘Strays’ (for which Gad provided a voice) and ‘Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar’, is in the director’s chair. He feels like a good fit for a new ‘Spaceballs’, since he’s proved he can handle wacky comedy with some emotional undertones.
When will the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel be on screens?
While Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm an exact date, but it is aiming for a 2027 theatrical launch.
Image from the ‘Spaceballs 2’ table read. Photo: Brook Rushton/Amazon MGM.
(Left) Amy Adams stars in ‘Nightbitch’. (Right) Aaron Pierre star in ‘Rebel Ridge’.
Preview:
Amy Adams and Aaron Pierre are among the new cast additions to ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’.
Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith and Mia Goth star.
Director Shawn Levy has the cameras rolling in the UK.
Director Shawn Levy is ready to set his S-Foils to “direct” position.
Okay, so we don’t know whether there will be actual X-Wings in ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’, but the cameras have started to roll on the new ‘Star Wars’ movie, and a fresh batch of actors have boarded.
The movie, which stars Ryan Gosling, Matt Smith and Mia Goth, is in production now in the UK, and the first behind-the-scenes image (see below) of Gosling and Gray is online to prove it.
(L to R) Ryan Gosling and Flynn Gray on set for ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’. Photo: Ed Miller/Lucasfilm.
With the official news out there, we now have a proper, if basic bit of detail for the movie. It’s described as “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’. It is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.”
Gosling is playing a character that must protect a young charge (Gray) against evil pursuers. Adams will be the boy’s mother.
Smith will be hunting Gosling down and Goth will be on the villain’s scheming side. The other roles are unknown for now.
Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward Kathleen Kennedy.
Shawn Levy talks ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
Levy offered the following statement to mark the start of production work on the movie:
“I feel a profound sense of excitement and honor as we begin production on ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’. From the day Kathy Kennedy called me up, inviting me to develop an original adventure in this incredible ‘Star Wars’ galaxy, this experience has been a dream come true, creatively and personally. ‘Star Wars’ shaped my sense of what story can do, how characters and cinematic moments can live with us forever. To join this storytelling galaxy with such brilliant collaborators onscreen and off, is the thrill of a lifetime.”
When will ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ be in theaters?
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is now due to arrive on May 28th, 2027. May the force be with it…
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
(Left) Matt Smith in HBO’s ‘House of the Dragon.’ Photograph by Ollie Upton/HBO. (Right) (L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s Ryan Gosling and director Shawn Levy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
The casting makes sense, since ‘Star Wars’ has often employed Brits as villainous characters, all the way back to the likes of Peter Cushing’s iconic, scowling, contemptuous Grand Moff Tarkin in the 1977 original.
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
With the official news out there, we now have a proper, if basic bit of detail for the movie. It’s described as “a standalone adventure taking place approximately five years after the events of 2019’s ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ It is an entirely new adventure featuring all-new characters set in a period of time that has not been explored on screen yet.”
Gosling is reportedly playing a character that must protect a young charge against evil pursuers.
Smith will be hunting him down and we recently learned that ‘Pearl’ and ‘MaXXXine’s Mia Goth will be on his scheming side.
What do Goth and Smith have in common, besides a propensity for playing quirky/threatening characters? Both born in the UK!
Jonathan Tropper, who collaborated with Levy on films such as ‘This is Where I Leave You’ and ‘The Adam Project,’ has been working on a script for over a year. Levy is also producing the feature via his 21 Laps banner, joining ‘Star Wars’ steward Kathleen Kennedy.
Where else can we see Matt Smith?
Matt Smith in ‘House of the Dragon’ season 2. Photograph by Theo Whitman/HBO.
Besides his Dragon-riding, endlessly plotting character, Smith is probably best known for playing the Eleventh incarnation of The Doctor in ‘Doctor Who’.
Coming up for the actor is the role of an unorthodox punk in Darren Aronofsky’s latest, crime drama ‘Caught Stealing’, due in theaters on August 29th.
When will ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ be in theaters?
With ‘The Mandalorian & Grogu’ boasting a confirmed release date of May 22nd, 2026, we now have a second ‘Star Wars’ movie on the calendar.
‘Star Wars: Starfighter’ is due to arrive on May 28th, 2027, and is set to start the cameras rolling in the fall, giving Smith some time to perfect his sneer.
(L to R) ‘Star Wars: Starfighter’s director Shawn Levy, Ryan Gosling, Dave Filoni and Kathleen Kennedy at Star Wars Celebration 2025. Photo: Lucasfilm.
George Lucas seen at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Lucas Museum of Narrative Art via Getty Images.
Preview:
George Lucas made his first trip to the San Diego Comic-Con.
He was on a panel with Guillermo del Toro and designer Doug Chiang.
Queen Latifah was the moderator.
Given his legendary status as an iconic creator of cinematic stalwarts such as the ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Indiana Jones’ movies, it’s perhaps a little shocking that George Lucas hasn’t been to the San Diego Comic-Con.
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All that changed today when Lucas made a rare public appearance and took over Hall H for a panel to celebrate his new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. He took to the stage with fellow filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and Lucasfilm Executive Designer Director Doug Chiang (who has worked on ‘Star Wars’ and so much more) for a panel moderated by Queen Latifah.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to illustrated storytelling across time, cultures, and media.
Co-founded by George Lucas and Mellody Hobson, the museum’s collection features works by artists including Norman Rockwell, Kadir Nelson, Jessie Willcox Smith, N. C. Wyeth, Beatrix Potter, Judy Baca, Frida Kahlo, and Maxfield Parrish; as well as comic art legends such as Winsor McCay, Jack Kirby, Frank Frazetta, Alison Bechdel, Chris Ware, and R. Crumb, plus photographers Gordon Parks, Henri Cartier-Bresson, and Dorothea Lange.
The museum also houses the Lucas Archive, containing models, props, concept art, and costumes from Lucas’s filmmaking career.
What happened at the George Lucas panel?
(L to R) Queen Latifah, George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang seen at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Lucas Museum of Narrative Art via Getty Images.
Lucas unsurprisingly got a standing ovation as he took the stage to talk up his new museum.
Part of his impetus for building the museum was a place to store some of his own huge art collection.
This is what Lucas had to say about art:
“It’s a temple to the people’s art. Art is more about a connection and emotional connection with the work, not how much it cost or what celebrity did it. I don’t think it’s anything anyone will tell you. If you have emotional connection, it’s art. If you don’t, just move onto the next painting.”
Among the exclusive items hosted at the museum? The very first character drawing of Flash Gordon from 1934, ‘Peanuts’ comic sketches from the 50s & 60s, original drawings from the first ‘Iron Man’ comic and some original ink art of ‘Black Panther’.
For del Toro’s part, he revealed that art his own extensive art collection survived the LA wildfires earlier this year, he’ll be housing a lot of it at the museum.
The panel wrapped up with a sizzle reel narrated by ‘Star Wars’ prequel star Samuel L. Jackson, which previewed some of the prolific works attendees can expect, i.e. General Grievous’ bike and the land speeder from the original ‘Star Wars’.
Many of the ‘Star Wars’ pieces of art, in particular those from concept artist Ralph McQuarrie, will be housed in the cinema gallery, one of 30-40 galleries at the museum.
When will the museum be open?
The George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art doesn’t have a specific opening date yet, but is scheduled to open in 2026 in Los Angeles.
(L to R) Guillermo del Toro, George Lucas, Queen Latifah and Doug Chiang seen at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art panel at Comic-Con International 2025 at San Diego Convention Center on July 27, 2025 in San Diego, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Lucas Museum of Narrative Art via Getty Images.
Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Preview:
A ‘Spaceballs’ sequel is in the works with much of the original cast returning.
Without the original actors reprising these roles, ‘Spaceballs 2’ would likely lack what is needed for it to succeed.
The addition of Lewis Pullman, Josh Gad, & Keke Palmer is also a brilliant move.
A ‘Spaceballs‘ sequel is in the works after nearly forty years and while that is exciting enough information on its own, the fact that much of the cast is returning is the icing on the cake.
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Unless ‘Spaceballs 2‘ were to follow a group of completely new characters (think ‘Star Wars‘ prequels or sequels), there is no way getting around replacing these actors. The film is so iconic that simply recasting would not only be a kick in the teeth to the actors (and the fans) but it would likely never capture the same satirical vibe that it needs to on order to be a success.
‘Spaceballs’ is a beloved film, a cult classic if you will, and needs to be treated as such. To bring in all new people, without any true ties to the original, would be a disgrace. The original cast members are not just perfect choices to play these characters, but the right choices to play them, as well.
(L to R) Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Rick Moranis is that actor who would be the hardest to replace and keep fans feeling as if Dark Helmet is the same character. It would be just like ‘Star Wars’ putting out a movie featuring Darth Vader and not using James Earl Jones‘ iconic voice. It would immediately feel like an impression, an imitation, and not the same thing.
This is the most surprising return for most, considering that he hasn’t acted in quite sometime. His last live-action role was ‘Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves‘, which release in 1997. After that he did lend his voice to several animated projects, but ultimately gave up acting more or less in 2008. It is a treat to have him return and quite honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The main cast are such iconic characters that it simply makes sense to have the actors who know them inside and out come back and reprise their roles. As long as they are willing and able, there truly is no reason to recast.
Mel Brooks and Daphne Zuniga Are Also, Thankfully, Returning
(L to R) Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
Mel Brooks directed and starred in the original 1987 film. He is currently 98 years old, so his return for ‘Spaceballs 2’ as Yogurt is a bit shocking. That said, he can simply provide the voice via a recording booth if necessary, and have a stand-in actor if need be, due to the nature of the character. While fans would love to see him don the iconic gold makeup, that is simply not necessary with today’s technology. Of course, that would be ideal, but there are work arounds if they are needed.
Daphne Zuniga returning as Princess Vespa is no surprise to many as she has continued to act since ‘Spaceballs’. Knowing that Princess Vespa and Lone Starr marry at the end of the first film is the perfect lead-in to introducing their child, who will likely be the main focus of ‘Spaceballs 2’.
Sadly one of the most memorable characters, Barf, cannot be portrayed by the original actor, John Candy, as he has passed away. It is hard for fans of ‘Spaceballs’ to imagine a sequel without this particular character, so odds are Barf will either be recast, or one of his offsprings will join in the adventure. This is likely where Josh Gad steps in, because has the comedic chops to pull it off, although we do not yet know for sure.
Lewis Pullman Joining His Father, Bill Pullman, As His Son Is A Brilliant Casting Choice
Lewis Pullman coming in as Lone Starr’s son, which is fitting becauae his father, Bill Pullman, is reprising that role as well for ‘Spaceballs 2′. Having both Pullmans on screen is sure to be a joyful fans, but it will also make their moments together believable. As with Rick Moranis’ return as Dark Helmet, finding a replacement actor for Bill Pullman’s Lone Starr would prove to be incredibly difficult.
Bringing in Lewis Pullman is a brilliant move because not only is he the perfect person to carry on the Lone Starr legacy because of his father, he is also a great actor, which he has proven time and time again, most recently in ‘Thunderbolts*‘.
Keke Palmer also joins the ‘Spaceballs 2’ cast in an undisclosed role. Another comedic genuis who is sure to fit into this crazy Sci-Fi world perfectly.
Josh Gads Love For The Original ‘Spaceballs’ Is Reassuring
(Left) Mel Brooks in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. (Right) Josh Gad in ‘The Wedding Ringer’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
Josh Gad is leading the charge on ‘Spaceballs 2’, reportedly starring and producing. He also apparently wrote the sequel. Not only does he know his way around comedy, he is also a big fan of the original film. He has admitted to seeing ‘Spaceballs’ before even seeing ‘Star Wars’. Knowing that he is such a big fan himself should put minds at ease. Surely he would not agree to star in something that doss have the same vibe and feeling of the original, which he loves so much.
While not much is known about the story yet, ‘Spaceballs 2’ will clearly be set a long time after the events of ‘Spaceballs’. The actors have aged forty years, which is something you simply cannot avoid. Plus, with Lewis Pullman playing the adult son of Lone Starr, we know time must have passed. There are so many routes they can go, but with the original cast on board, fans will have high hopes that they can recreate magic.
Amazon MGM’s ‘Spaceballs 2’ is set to release in 2027. There is no confirmation yet as to if it will head to theaters yet, or release exclusively on Prime Video.
(L to R) John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
