A Surprise Return to the Galaxy
The San Diego Comic-Con crowd in Hall H experienced a major surprise on Friday, July 24, as the cast and filmmakers of Spaceballs: The New One took the stage. While the panel was already set to feature key talent, the event took a turn when Spaceballs Troopers searching the audience for Dark Helmet impersonators uncovered the real Dark Helmet himself, Rick Moranis, hiding among the fans.
Moranis joined the rest of the group onstage to a standing ovation, marking his return to the franchise. He was joined by fellow stars Daphne Zuniga, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, and Josh Gad, along with director Josh Greenbaum and screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit. Moderator Kevin Smith hosted the discussion, which included a video message from the legendary Mel Brooks.
Reflecting on the Franchise
During the panel, the team discussed the process of bringing the sequel to life. Gad and Greenbaum shared stories about pitching the project to Brooks, while Zuniga and Moranis reflected on reuniting with the filmmaker and stepping back into their iconic roles after several decades. Lewis Pullman, whose father Bill Pullman starred in the original film, spoke about joining the universe that helped launch his father’s career.
While Bill Pullman could not attend in person, he contributed a special video message for the audience. Gad also took a moment to pay tribute to the late John Candy, describing him as the heart and soul of the original 1987 film.
What to Expect from the Sequel
The upcoming film is set to hit theaters in April 2027. According to the official synopsis, the story picks up forty years after the events of the first movie. The plot follows Prince Starburst and a Palace advisor named Destiny as they attempt to locate legacy characters like Lone Starr and Yogurt to save the galaxy from a new threat.
The return of Moranis is a significant moment for fans who have long hoped to see the actor revisit his classic roles. With the production team leaning heavily into the legacy of the original, the sequel aims to balance nostalgia with a new chapter for the franchise.
For more information on the upcoming release, you can visit the official Amazon MGM Studios website or check out the IMDb page for Spaceballs: The New One.
