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Rick Moranis is making a long-awaited comeback to live-action films, stepping back into the spotlight for the much-anticipated 'Spaceballs' sequel—his first major movie role in nearly 30 years.
The 72-year-old actor, best known for his hilarious portrayal of Dark Helmet in Mel Brooks’ 1987 cult classic 'Spaceballs', will reprise the iconic role alongside original director and co-star Mel Brooks. According to Deadline, Rick Moranis will also be joined by fellow original cast member Bill Pullman, who returns as Lone Starr, and new cast additions including Keke Palmer.
Comedy legend Mel Brooks, now 98, is back at the helm as producer for the 'Spaceballs' sequel, teaming up with Josh Gad. The film will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, with Gad not only co-writing the script but also joining the cast, promising a blend of classic humour and fresh energy. While Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm the casting, the buzz surrounding the project continues to grow.
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Image Courtesy: People
Recently, Brooks confirmed the sequel in a humorous post on X, featuring a spoof of 'Star Wars '- style opening credits and teasing fans with a tongue-in-cheek caption: "I told you we'd be back." He continued the joke in a promotional video, asking what fans wanted after 40 years, only to say they’re making the movie anyway. A poster featuring Dark Helmet confirmed a theatrical release for 2027, along with the classic Spaceballs tagline: “May the Schwartz be with you!”
Josh Gad couldn’t hide his excitement on Instagram as he celebrated joining the 'Spaceballs' legacy. Reflecting on his childhood, he shared a hilarious memory—he saw 'Spaceballs' before 'Star Wars' and, for a while, believed George Lucas had made a dramatic reboot of the Mel Brooks comedy. Now, he says, working on this sequel with Brooks is one of the biggest honours of his life.
The film has been described as a quirky continuation of the original, not a prequel or reboot, but a self-aware sequel that expands the franchise while maintaining its trademark humour.
Rick Moranis's Departure From the Spotlight
Rick Moranis’ return is particularly meaningful to fans, as he largely stepped away from Hollywood following the tragic passing of his wife, costume designer Ann Belsky, in 1991. Choosing to prioritise fatherhood, he left the spotlight to raise their two children. His last on-screen role was in 1997’s 'Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves'.
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Image Courtesy: Prime Video
In a 2015 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Rick Moranis clarified that he never formally retired from acting. Instead, he described his break as something that simply extended over time. He said he remained open to projects that genuinely interested him, occasionally receiving offers but waiting for the right one to come along.
In 2020, it was announced that Rick Moranis would return for 'Shrunk', a reboot of 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids', where he would reprise his role as eccentric inventor Wayne Szalinski. Josh Gad was set to play his now-adult son. However, updates from Gad in 2023 suggested that the film had been delayed due to pandemic-related issues, budget constraints, and scheduling challenges. Gad encouraged fans to express their interest directly to Disney if they wanted to see it made.
Now, with 'Spaceballs 2' on the horizon, Rick Moranis is finally back—and fans of the beloved comic actor couldn’t be more thrilled.
