'Spaceballs' sequel, 'Thomas Crown Affair' previewed at CinemaCon, but
no Bond updates
[April 16, 2026]
By LINDSEY BAHR
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The cast and filmmakers behind the “Spaceballs” sequel
including Bill Pullman and Rick Moranis brought a little levity to
CinemaCon Wednesday night in Las Vegas, with an irreverent presentation
and first look at the satire.
“With Hollywood studios merging willy nilly like middle aged couples at
a swingers party, Amazon acquired MGM and opened the vault,” a voiceover
said in the “Spaceballs” sizzle reel, with the image on the screen
showing Warner Bros. and Paramount, making Amazon MGM the only studio to
publicly reference the pending acqusition at the conference so far.
Mel Brooks, in a video message, announced the title, “Spaceballs: The
New One."
"It's just like the old one, but it's newer," Brooks said.
He explained that it was not called “Spaceballs: The Search for More
Money” because, he said, he found the money. It was in his basement.
Also, he said, he couldn't be at Caesar's Palace with everyone because
he was seeing Phish at the Sphere.
Moranis's appearance on stage evoked a big reaction from the crowd, but
he only got a few words out — part of the bit was that everyone would
keep interrupting him, and they stuck to it. The film is expected in
theaters next year.
“Spaceballs” was just one part of the big Amazon MGM Studios
presentation to theater owners, which also included first looks at Peter
Farrelly’s Sylvester Stallone biopic “I Play Rocky” and Michael B.
Jordan's “The Thomas Crown Affair."
The newly minted best actor Oscar winner for his dual performance in
“Sinners,” Jordan directs and stars in the romantic art heist, alongside
Adria Arjona. Jon Batiste also played a bit of the score he’s composing
for the film.
“I’ve been daydreaming about making this movie for years,” said Jordan.
He watched the 1999 version when he was 12 and said “It left a very big
impression on me.”
For his version, he said, he wanted to bring the style, sophistication
and rebellion he loved in both of the previous versions, but also to
make his character “someone you can root for.”
Amazon MGM Studios was received warmly by the exhibitors in the audience
on the heels of their biggest theatrical release so far, and their
promise to release 15 movies a year by 2027. “Project Hail Mary”
continues to do big business, with over $515 million in global box
office earnings. It was so popular that it will be returning to IMAX
theaters for one week starting Friday.
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Cast members Nicholas Braun, left, and Hugh Jackman of the upcoming
film "The Sheep Detectives" speak during the Amazon MGM Studios
presentation at CinemaCon on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Caesars
Palace in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
 Filmmakers Phil Lord and Chris
Miller even made a surprise appearance, with Ryan Gosling, to thank
the exhibitors for playing the film in their theaters.
“This movie is now the biggest original movie of the year because
you believed in it,” Miller said.
The studio previewed their summer He-Man movie “Masters of the
Universe,” starring Nicholas Galitzine, and the family film “The
Sheep Detectives,” also with Galitzine, Hugh Jackman and Nicholas
Braun. Pete Davidson also showed up with David Leitch for their
gonzo action pic “How to Rob a Bank.”
“This movie is totally (expective) insane,” Davidson said.
Later, they showed first looks at Henry Cavill in “Highlander” and
Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson in the adaptation of the Colleen
Hoover psychological thriller “Verity.”
One franchise that did not have any news to share was James Bond.
Amazon paid $8.45 billion for MGM in 2021, at least in part because
of the allure of 007. Just last year the joint studio announced it
had taken the creative reins of the franchise after decades of
family control with longtime Bond custodians Michael G. Wilson and
Barbara Broccoli agreeing to step back. They also hired Denis
Villeneuve to direct the first film of the new era, with Amy Pascal
and David Heyman producing.
But precious little is known about their plans for the next Bond
movie beyond that, including who might play the dapper agent.
Courtenay Valenti, Amazon MGM’s head of film, said “we’re taking
time to do this with care and deep respect.”
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