Spaceballs movie sequel begins filming on northern beaches

A Sydney beach has transformed into an intergalactic movie set as filming of the sequel of the cult comedy classic Spaceballs finally gets underway after 37 years. See the photos.

Filming of the Hollywood movie, Spaceballs 2, started on location at Turimetta Beach, Warriewood, on Friday. Picture: Manly Daily

Hollywood has arrived on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Filming of scenes for Spaceballs 2, the long anticipated sequel to the hit 1987 cult Star Wars spoof, Spaceballs, has started on Turimetta Beach at Warriewood.

Extras and crew were spotted around a cluster of film trucks, vans and catering vehicles on Narrabeen Park Pde and Pearl Pl, above the beach, on Friday morning.

Some of the extras appeared to be wearing tight-fitting, light grey, lyrca-type costumes.

There was no indication that its stars Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga — who starred in the original movie — Josh Gad, Lewis Pullman or Keke Palmer were on location.

Extras in costume and wearing robes on location for the filming of the Hollywood movie, Spaceballs 2, at Turimetta Beach, Warriewood, on Friday. Picture: Manly Daily

Award-winning comedy writer, actor and director Mel Brooks, who wrote the first movie as a humorous parody of the original Star Wars trilogy and other science fiction space films, may be part of the cast.

Private security guards have been enlisted to keep people away from the filming location.

Film crew taking equipment down to Turimetta Beach on Friday. Picture: Manly Daily

At least three uniformed police officers were also scene in the reserves above the beach.

A section of nearby Pittwater Rugby Park has been cordoned off to be used as a “unit base” for the crew.

Dozens of trucks, caravans, mobile cabins and portable toilet facilities have been set up, with a small fleet of minibuses ferrying cast and crew between it and the beach.

Interior shots will be filmed in the Disney Studios at Moore Park.

The “unit base” for the cast and crew at Pittwater Rugby Park contained dozens of trucks, caravans, cabins and portable bathrooms. Picture: Manly Daily

One of the stars of the Amazon MGM production, comedy acting veteran Rick Moranis, flew into Sydney last month.

Moranis, 72, has come out of retirement to reprise his role of the evil, ludicrous Dark Helmet.

It is understood that shooting in Sydney will take a minimum of three months.

A line of film crew trucks along Narrabeen Park Pde on Friday. Picture: Manly Daily

More film crew in Pearl Pl. Picture: Manly Daily

Spaceballs told the story of space mercenary Lone Starr (Pullman) and his sidekick, Barf — half man, half dog, played now deceased John Candy — as they attempt to rescue Princess Vespa (Zuniga) of Planet Druidia from Dark Helmet and his boss, President Skroob (Brooks) of Planet Spaceball.

The film poster for the original Spaceballs. Picture: Ross Swanborough

Planet Spaceball wants to steal the air from the peaceful Druidia, and the heroes must use the mysterious “Schwartz” to complete their mission.

Comedian Josh Gad, who co-wrote the sequel, confirmed in an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival recently that he was flying out to “Australia to start shooting the movie”.

Actors (L-R) George Wyner, Rick Moranis and Mel Brooks in 1987 film "Spaceballs". Picture: Supplied

John Candy and Bill Pullman in the original film. Picture: Supplied

Gad, who will also be in the cast, said about 50 per cent of the sequel would be shot on location.

The rest is being filmed at the Disney Studios in Moore Park, according to the IMDb film website.

“Because it is a Star Wars-esque film, it requires some vista shots, which we’re doing, and it requires some spaceship shots, which we’re doing,” he said.

Spaceballs 2 is set to be released in 2027.