Spaceballs 2 Filming Wraps, Forgets Death Star Hovering Above Barrenjoey Lighthouse

BARRENJOEY, PRNB - The Spaceballs 2 film crew officially packed up this week, shook hands, invoiced everyone and sent all filming resources back to Home and Away – accidentally leaving the Death Star suspended above Barrenjoey Lighthouse like an unsolicited architectural statement piece.

The moon-sized superweapon has now been hovering over Palm Beach for several days, blotting out the sunrise, confusing migratory birds, and triggering an immediate spike in local men explaining to strangers that it will “absolutely tank property values temporarily.”

Producers insist the set was fully cleared. Trucks left. Cables were rolled. Kombucha taps were disconnected. But somehow the Death Star, which is roughly five times the LGA size of the People’s Republic of the Northern Beaches, remained behind.

Locals Remain Confused 

“We thought it was already here before we started filming prep,” admitted one crew member. “It just felt… very Northern Beaches.” Several residents simply glanced at the sky, locked eyes, nodded once, and said, “Right,” before continuing their power walk with the grim determination of people who survived the latest bike lane rollout. 

“I kept my mouth shut after the 1974 floods, the 90s development boom and The Joey charging $18 for toast, but this is where I draw the line” said retired Rick from Palm Beach before adding “I swear I’ll lodge a noise complaint if I hear so much as a mouse fart in the thing.”  

Another retiree that wished to remain anonymous so neighbours wouldn’t know they had an opinion said, “I didn’t move to Palm Beach to live under a dictator ship, this is the People’s Republic of The Northern Beaches, not New South Wales” before requesting that a protest slogan be added to the article on behalf of all Northern Beaches residents – “No shirts, no shoes, no empire”

At sunrise, multiple Palm Beach retirees attempted to photograph the Death Star, assuming it was either a cruise ship, a tech billionaire’s toy, or a new Merivale hospitality concept. One man reportedly asked if it had parking and whether it was dog friendly.

The Palm Beach Yacht Club initially welcomed the structure, mistaking it as an opportunity for a private members’ marina in low orbit before realising there was no staff, no champagne, and no one willing to pretend that this was a good idea.

The Peoples ‘s Republic of The Northern Beaches government has confirmed the Death Star does not breach planning controls with the Minister for Cinematic Anxiety, Frank from Frenchs Forest confirmed “the Death Star has been approved under a rarely used exemption for ‘temporary creative works that somehow become permanent’.” A traffic study has been commissioned to assess how the installation affects boat trailers, helicopters, the Sea Plane from Rose Bay to Newcastle and Range Rovers reversing into cafés without looking.

Influencers Take Advantage, Government  Cool Concerns

Influencers arrived within hours, carefully positioning the Death Star in frame while posting captions about gratitude, perspective, and how lucky they are to live “somewhere so grounded.” Several reels were ruined when the super-laser briefly reflected off oversized sunglasses.

Meanwhile, locals remain divided. Some see the Death Star as an eyesore. Others appreciate the shade. A third group are latching onto potential misinformation that it may be powerful enough to destroy the Avalon Bowls club that still has not been forgiven for “that” covid party.

Producers say they will attempt to retrieve the Death Star once they locate someone qualified to fly it. Until then, residents are advised not to panic as it is on brand with the retired authoritarian overreach demographic. 

“It’s not armed,” the Minister for Cinematic Intimidation confirmed. “And even if it was, it couldn’t possibly do more damage than the comments from anonymous members in the many Northern Beaches Facebook groups.”

As of publication, Barrenjoey Lighthouse remains operational, the Death Star remains stationary, and several locals remain querying if it can be heritage-listed before anyone else gets ideas.