Josh Gad, Mel Brooks & Josh Greenbaum Teaming For ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel At Amazon MGM

EXCLUSIVE: Following the huge success of Michael Showalter‘s Prime Video rom-com The Idea of You, Showalter and Jordana Mollick‘s Semi-Formal Productions has entered into a multi-year first-look film deal with Amazon MGM Studios, Deadline can exclusively reveal.

Amazon MGM Studios has landed I Used to Eat Brains, Now I Eat Kale, a zombie feature package based on the same-name adventure-comedy short story from Adam and Daniel Cooper, aka The Cooper Twins.

In the latest executive shuffle at Paramount Global, home entertainment chief Bob Buchi is exiting and will be replaced by Amazon MGM digital distribution exec Andres Alvarez.

These days, no IP is too good not to capitalize on, not even “Spaceballs.” Variety reports that Amazon MGM Studios has a sequel of the 1987 sci-fi spoof in development with Josh Gad set to star. Gad also leads producers on the project along with the original director, Mel Brooks.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon MGM Studios has closed a multiyear overall writing deal with Oscar nominated American Sniper screenwriter Jason Hall.  

EXCLUSIVE: Mark Wahlberg (The Family Plan) and Paul Walter Hauser (The Instigators) are set to team on Balls Up, an action comedy that Peter Farrelly will direct for Amazon MGM Studios.

Stuart Miller For nearly half a century, Frameline has celebrated queer stories — and queer identity — with the San Francisco Intl. LGBTQ+ Film Festival.

Josh Gad is set to star in a sequel for the classic parody film Spaceballs!

Katcy Stephan A “Spaceballs” sequel is in development at Amazon MGM Studios. Josh Gad is set to star, and will produce alongside Mel Brooks. Josh Greenbaum will direct the film from a screenplay by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Gad, while Kevin Salter will executive produce.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Kitano Takeshi, one of the biggest names in contemporary Japanese cinema, is directing an untitled movie for Amazon MGM Studios. Other details of the movie, such as cast and synopsis were also scant. Amazon said only that it, “will produce globally acclaimed Japanese director Takeshi Kitano’s feature film.

Selome Hailu Amazon MGM Studios has given a pilot order to “The Nightbeast,” a horror comedy starring Tatiana Maslany. In “The Nightbeast,” per the official logline, “a young mother unsatisfied with her seemingly perfect suburban life begins an affair with the boogeyman in her son’s closet — a surprisingly sexy man called the Nightbeast.

Tatiana Maslany is set to star in The Nightbeast, a pilot for Amazon MGM Studios from Leah Rachel (Chambers) and Travis Jackson (Hemlock Grove).

EXCLUSIVE: Milana Vayntrub has boarded the Amazon MGM Studios‘ upcoming movie Project Hail Mary, joining previously announced cast members Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment Writer Before “Iron Man” and “Thor,” before “Spider-Man” and “X-Men,” there was “Blade.” Starring Wesley Snipes as the titular daywalking half-vampire vampire slayer, the movie debuted in 1998 at a time when Marvel comics had yet to enjoy a successful feature film adaptation.

EXCLUSIVE: Mike Gauyo (Insecure, Ginny & Georgia, Send Help) and screenwriter talent-discovery platform Coverfly has partnered with the Black Boy Writes Media banner for the fourth year of the Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative. The initiative, which launched at the start of 2021, is dedicated to supplying industry access and resources to pre-WGA Black screenwriters. 

Russell Crowe is sharing his thoughts on the Gladiator sequel, which will drop in theaters later this year.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Keith Kupferer, Katherine Mallen Kupferer and “Ghostlight” director Alex Thompson will reunite for a body swap comedy. Think “Freaky Friday” with an indie sensibility. From “Heaven Can Wait” to “Big” and “The Hot Chick,” it’s a familiar genre.

Brent Lang Executive Editor Keith Kupferer, Katherine Mallen Kupferer and “Ghostlight” director Alex Thompson will reunite for a body swap comedy. Think “Freaky Friday” with an indie sensibility. From “Heaven Can Wait” to “Big” and “The Hot Chick,” it’s a familiar genre.

Latasha Gillespie is stepping down from her post as Global Head of DEIA for Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video effective August 29 after seven years at Amazon, the last five at the film and TV studio. She will be succeed by Amanda Baker-Lane, who has worked in the DEIA space for more than 14 years, the last 9 ½ of them in various roles at Amazon, most recently Head of DEIA Product and Strategy under Gillespie.

Angelique Jackson Amazon MGM Studios announced that Latasha Gillespie is departing her role as Global Head of DEIA. She will be replaced by Amanda Baker-Lane who previously served as the studio’s head of DEIA product and strategy.