The release of Spaceballs: The New One will be a big deal on the 2027 movie schedule for a few reasons. First, obviously, it will happen 40 years after the release of Spaceballs. Secondly, it will mark the first movie Rick Moranis has starred in since the early 2000s. Now, the actor is opening up about returning to performing and putting the Dark Helmet back on for the first time in nearly four decades.
Spaceballs' legacy sequel will hit theaters on April 23, 2027; however, we’ve been getting hyped for it for quite some time. I got even more excited when the cast went to San Diego Comic-Con and spoke about making this sequel to one of the best parody comedies. Rick Moranis specifically talked about returning to this silly sci-fi world 39 years later, saying (via People):
Well, I kept having to pinch myself because I would look at Daphne [Zuniga] and Bill [Pullman] and George Wyner. Earl Sanders. And then there were all these young people. And I realized I was their age 39 years ago when we made this. And here we are now and my kids are the age of this.
Overall, I've also been having a "pinch me" experience as I learn more about this film. I adore the original cast of Spaceballs, and knowing a sequel is coming is exhilarating on its own. Knowing that Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman, George Wyner and Rick Moranis were coming back made it even better. Adding in the new cast created a new sense of anticipation too, because I can’t wait to see Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman interact with the OG cast (I’m especially enthusiastic about Lewis and Bill Pullman sharing the screen).
However, while there are new and younger people joining this adventure, Moranis explained that getting back on set was like being in a “time warp.” This goes along with other things he’s said about the film, noting that other than the fact that Bill Pullman brought his son with him this time, it otherwise feels “exactly like the first movie.” So, you can see why he also described making this sequel as a “time warp”:
I felt like I was in a time warp, but I was in that outfit and wearing the helmet. And it just felt very strange to be honest with you. But it started to feel really good and I really started to love it.
While he said playing Dark Helmet again was “strange” at first, Lewis Pullman said watching Moranis perform was “mind-boggling,” and he “seamlessly” got right back into his character. And, as the Dark Helmet actor said, once he got back into it all, he "really started to love it."
Now, Moranis’ last film was the TV movie Bob & Doug McKenzie’s Two-Four Anniversary 19 years ago. And his last major motion picture was Brother Bear in 2003. While he’s done a few projects here and there, he has not done anything super big in over two decades. So, all around, I get why the actor felt a bit odd returning to Spaceballs.
According to Mel Brooks, he got Moranis to say yes by asking him if he wanted to go to his “grave without ever coming back to show business again.” His answer clearly was no at the time, and it would seem that overall the Little Shop of Horrors actor is incredibly happy he’s back not only acting, but playing Dark Helmet.
Now, to see Dark Helmet back in action, you can catch Spaceballs: The New One in theaters on April 23, 2027. If you want to travel back in time and see Rick Moranis’ character 39 years ago, you can stream Spaceballs on MGM+.
