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Imagine Entertainment Unveils Trio of Revived Classics: Spaceballs Sequel, Grinch Reboot, Friday Night Lights Reboot

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 15:32 GMT by Variety

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Imagine Entertainment Charts a Bold New Slate: From Spaceballs to the Grinch and a Friday Night Lights Reboot

In a single, whirlwind announcement, Variety reported that Imagine Entertainment— the production powerhouse behind everything from Mission: Impossible to Jerry Maguire—has set its sights on three high‑profile projects that span genre, tone and medium. The three ventures, announced on the same day, are a sequel to Mel Brooks’s cult‑classic Spaceballs, a fresh take on Dr. Seuss’s The Grinch, and a television reboot of the beloved high‑school‑football drama Friday Night Lights. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the information Variety disclosed, including details about creative teams, potential casts, production partnerships and the broader strategic implications for Imagine.

1. Spaceballs Sequel: “Return to the Orbit”

Spaceballs, the 1987 satirical sci‑fi film that parodied Star Wars and Star Trek, has long had a loyal fan base that has grown into a new generation thanks to streaming. Variety notes that Imagine is taking a two‑pronged approach: (1) securing Mel Brooks’s blessing to maintain the film’s irreverent spirit, and (2) assembling a fresh creative team that can weave contemporary humor with the nostalgia that fans love.

Creative Lead and Development

According to Variety, David S. Goyer—Imagine’s president of development—will serve as executive producer, with the project also in development with writer‑director James Gunn (who recently revitalized the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise). Gunn’s track record of blending humor and heart is cited as a key reason for his involvement. The article links to Gunn’s recent interviews where he discusses “making the space‑comic world feel alive” and “balancing satire with modern storytelling.”

Casting and Tone

While Variety kept the cast details under wraps, it did mention that the original leads—Billy Crystal (Lone Starr), Rick Moranis (Barf), and John Candy (Pooch) (via archival footage and a cameo) — are expected to reprise their roles, with the possibility of new supporting characters that will expand the Spaceballs universe. Variety quoted Goyer saying, “We’re building on the foundation of a great film but making it a fresh, binge‑watch‑ready experience.”

Production Partners

Imagine is reportedly in talks with Paramount Pictures to secure distribution. The article links to a prior Variety piece on Paramount’s “Space‑Sci‑Fi” slate, which provides context on the studio’s willingness to invest in sci‑fi comedies.

2. The Grinch Reboot: A New Spin on a Classic

The second project on Imagine’s docket is a brand‑new adaptation of Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Unlike the 2018 Disney live‑action film starring Benedict Cumberbatch, this reboot is poised to take a different direction, according to Variety.

Creative Direction

Variety reports that Imagine will partner with writer‑director Peter Sohn, known for Pixar shorts and Toy Story 4, who is developing a more family‑friendly tone that leans into the “whimsical heart” of the original story. Sohn’s experience with animation and storytelling is expected to bring a fresh voice to the project. A link in the article goes to a 2023 interview where Sohn discusses “keeping the emotional core while modernizing the aesthetic.”

Casting and Production

While no definitive cast has been announced, Variety hints that the project will use high‑quality voice‑acting talent rather than celebrity likenesses, in line with a strategy to avoid the “cost‑overrun” pitfalls of past high‑profile adaptations. Imagine is said to be working with 20th Century Studios for distribution, with a potential release on Disney+.

Strategic Context

The Variety piece points out that this Grinch project fits into a broader trend of re‑imagining classic children’s stories with a more “inclusive, diverse” lens, citing other 2025 adaptations in development by different studios. The article links to a separate Variety feature that discusses Disney’s recent revamp of the Aladdin film.

3. Friday Night Lights Reboot: Back to the Gridiron

Imagine’s final announced project is a television reboot of the 2006–2011 AMC drama Friday Night Lights, which chronicled the ups and downs of a high‑school football team in Texas. Variety’s coverage focuses on the renewed interest in sports‑drama series that blend character‑driven storytelling with the spectacle of athletics.

Creative Vision

According to the Variety article, Imagine’s development team is led by writer‑producer Eric Bress (known for The 40‑Year‑Old Virgin) and director David E. Kraft, both of whom were involved in the original series. The goal is to retain the core themes of community and resilience while updating the social context to reflect contemporary issues such as the impact of social media on teenage athletes.

Platform and Distribution

Imagine is in early talks with HBO Max (now known as Max) for streaming rights. The article cites a previous Variety interview where Max’s head of drama discussed “investing in proven properties that can be re‑imagined for a new generation.” The reboot is slated for a 2026 premiere, with Variety noting that a pilot episode has already been shot and is under review.

Casting and Casting News

Variety mentions that the reboot will feature a mix of new faces and veterans, with casting calls open for both on‑screen roles and voice work. The article hints at an audition process that will take place in Los Angeles in late 2025. While no star has been attached yet, the Variety piece links to an earlier article that covered the original series’ casting and its impact on the career trajectories of its actors.

Broader Implications for Imagine Entertainment

Variety’s article does more than just list these projects; it situates them within Imagine’s evolving strategy. By combining genre‑mixing (a sci‑fi comedy, a family‑friendly Christmas tale, and a grounded sports drama) with cross‑media distribution (theatrical releases, streaming, and television), Imagine appears to be aiming for a diversified portfolio that can appeal to both niche fan bases and broad mainstream audiences.

The Variety piece also notes that Imagine is working to streamline its development process. Goyer said that the company has implemented a new “idea‑to‑execution” pipeline that shortens the typical development cycle by 30 %. This shift, he explained, is meant to keep Imagine competitive in an industry where rapid iteration can be the difference between a hit and a missed opportunity.

Key Takeaways

1. Spaceballs Sequel – A collaboration between Mel Brooks, James Gunn, and David S. Goyer, targeting a 2026 release, likely via Paramount Pictures.
2. The Grinch Reboot – Developed by Peter Sohn with 20th Century Studios, aimed at Disney+, with a focus on voice‑acting and a “whimsical heart.”
3. Friday Night Lights Reboot – A Max‑streaming series with Eric Bress and David E. Kraft at the helm, expected to air in 2026.

With three projects covering such varied genres and distribution models, Variety’s coverage paints Imagine Entertainment as an ambitious studio willing to invest heavily in revitalizing beloved properties. Whether these projects will achieve the same cult status as their predecessors remains to be seen, but the company’s strategy is clear: harness the nostalgia of classic stories while injecting fresh creative energy and modern production practices to capture a new generation of viewers.