Rick Moranis Makes Comic-Con Debut for ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel

by | Jul 25, 2026 | Entertainment

Rick Moranis Makes Comic-Con Debut for ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel

Amazon MGM presented Spaceballs: The New One, a sequel to the 1987 Mel Brooks science fiction parody, at San Diego Comic-Con’s Hall H. The panel drew attention for featuring Rick Moranis in his first-ever Comic-Con appearance, marking a significant return for the actor who played the villain Dark Helmet in the original film and has maintained a limited public presence in recent decades.

Moranis appeared alongside Josh Gad, who served as a creative force on the sequel, along with returning cast members Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman, director Josh Greenbaum, and additional cast and crew. Kevin Smith moderated the discussion. Moranis received a standing ovation and audience chants upon taking the stage.

Gad discussed the sequel’s origins, recounting how a conversation with his daughter about a Honey I Shrunk the Kids follow-up led to the idea. When his daughter questioned why there was no sequel to the original Spaceballs, referencing a line from that film, Gad began developing the concept. He subsequently pitched the idea to Mel Brooks and his producing partner, incorporating references to newer Star Wars films.

Brooks, who did not attend in person, appeared via recorded video and praised attendees for maintaining interest in his original work. The studio did not premiere a trailer or show clips but instead displayed video segments featuring Brooks reuniting with cast members and recording material for the film.

Director Greenbaum shared an anecdote about seeking Brooks’s guidance before principal photography, noting that Brooks’s advice—to call “Action” before “Cut”—underscored an approach emphasizing enjoyment and creative freedom. Gad indicated the sequel examines themes of nostalgia and the film industry’s evolution, positioning Spaceballs as a vehicle to comment on contemporary cinema and its relationship with legacy properties. Smith noted that while the original film parodied a finite trilogy, the modern landscape offers an expansive array of material to satirize.

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