Mel Brooks’ History Of The World, Part II begins shooting in LA

Mel Brooks is considered to be on the short list of comedic legends to have written, created and performed in some of the most enduring classics for the stage and the screen.

One of his most notable pieces of artistry over his seven decade career: the comedy film History Of The World, Part I, finally got a Part II after more than four decades, and has already begun shooting in Los Angeles.

According to Variety, History Of The World, Part II, is a direct sequel to Brooks’ classic film, but will come in the form of a variety series, complete with eight episodes for Hulu.

Direct sequel to classic: After more than four decades, Mel Brooks’ comedy film – History of The World, Part I – is finally getting a Part II, which has already begun shooting in Los Angeles; Brooks, 95, is seen in January 2020

Brooks, who at the age of 95, is onboard for the follow-up, serving as a writer and executive producer, alongside Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen, and Kevin Salter.

Searchlight Television and 20th Television will produce. 

‘I can’t wait to once more tell the real truth about all the phony baloney stories the world has been conned into believing are History!’ Brooks said in a statement.  

Production underway: History of The World, Part II is described as a sequel to the 1981 film, only it is being made as an eight episodes variety series for Hulu

BTS: Although the names of the cast have not been made public, various actors have been spotted on the set getting ready to shoot a scene on Thursday

Sequel team: Brooks is onboard for the follow-up, serving as a writer and executive producer, alongside Wanda Sykes, Nick Kroll, Ike Barinholtz, David Stassen, and Kevin Salter.\

Despite carrying the title Part I, there were originally no plans for a sequel when the film was released in June 1981.

It turns out the title of the movie was a play on the book – The History Of The World, Volume 1 by Sir Walter Raleigh.

The new show will follow the same format as the original film, which was made up of segments parodying different periods of world history. The Stone Age, Ancient Rome, and the French Revolution were among the time periods that were parodied. 

So far there’s no word on what eras will be showcased as comedic fodder in the new installment.

The star and creator: In the original film Brooks played five roles: Moses, Comicus the stand-up philosopher, Tomás de Torquemada, King Louis XVI, and Jacques

Classic: Along with his five roles, Brooks served as writer, producer and director of History Of The World, Part I, which was released in June 1981; he is pictured in a scene with Pamela Stephenson, who was among the extensive ensemble cast

In the original film Brooks played five roles: Moses, Comicus the stand-up philosopher, Tomás de Torquemada, King Louis XVI, and Jacques.

The extensive ensemble cast also included the likes of Sid Caesar, Dom DeLuise, Madeline Kahn, Harvey Korman, Cloris Leachman, Ron Carey, Gregory Hines, Pamela Stephenson, Shecky Greene, Mary-Margaret Humes

There were also an assortment of cameo appearances by Royce D. Applegate, Hugh Hefner, John Hurt, Bea Arthur, Nigel Hawthorne, Jackie Mason, Barry Levinson, Paul Mazursky, Andrew Sachs and Henny Youngman.

Play on words: Despite carrying the title Part I, there were originally no plans for a sequel when the film was released in June 1981; the title of the movie was a play on the book – The History Of The World, Volume 1 by Sir Walter Raleigh

Legendary filmmaker Orson Welles narrated each of the stories. 

So far there’s no official word on what actors will appear in History of the World, Part II.

Along with having to hire a solid cast, Brooks and company also had to fill the big shoes of Welles as narrator, since he passed away back in 1985 at the age of 70.

Hulu has not yet announced when the series will drop, but considering production has just gotten underway, it will likely be sometime in 2023.

Likely coming in 2023: So far there’s no official word on when the series will premiere on Hulu: Brooks is pictured at 55 in 1981, the year History Of The World, Part I was released