More than three decades after stepping away from major live-action films, Rick Moranis is returning as Dark Helmet. The actor is part of Spaceballs: The New One, a sequel to Mel Brooks’ 1987 science-fiction comedy.
The movie also brings back several familiar faces. Here is what has been confirmed about the release date, returning cast, story, and Moranis’ long-awaited comeback.
When Will Spaceballs: The New One Be Released?
Spaceballs: The New One is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on April 23, 2027, according to Amazon MGM Studios.
That places the sequel almost 40 years after the original Spaceballs arrived in 1987. The new film is directed by Josh Greenbaum, whose credits include Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.
The screenplay was written by Josh Gad, Dan Hernandez, and Benji Samit. Mel Brooks is among the film’s producers.
Why Is Rick Moranis Returning to Acting?
Moranis became a familiar face in the 1980s through Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Spaceballs, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
He later reduced his on-screen work to focus on raising his children after his wife, Ann Belsky, died in 1991. His break did not mean he stopped working completely. He continued with occasional voice performances and music projects.
In a 2015 interview reported by ABC News, Moranis explained that the break simply became much longer than he had first expected.
The upcoming Spaceballs sequel marks his return to a major live-action film role after Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves in 1997.
His comeback is no longer just a casting announcement. Moranis appeared with fellow cast members at CinemaCon in April 2026, and he attended a Spaceballs panel at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026. The Comic-Con audience greeted him with a standing ovation, according to Associated Press reporting.
Who Is in the Spaceballs Sequel Cast?
Several actors from the original comedy are returning:
- Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet
- Mel Brooks as Yogurt
- Bill Pullman as Lone Starr
- Daphne Zuniga as Vespa
- George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz
The new cast includes Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, and Anthony Carrigan.
Lewis Pullman is Bill Pullman’s son in real life. He plays Prince Starburst, Vespa’s son, in the sequel. Keke Palmer plays a palace adviser named Destiny.
The confirmed cast and character information comes from Amazon MGM Studios’ official film overview.
What Is Spaceballs: The New One About?
The sequel brings Dark Helmet back into a galaxy facing another threat. According to the official synopsis, Lone Starr is in hiding while Vespa has become queen.
Her son, Prince Starburst, teams up with Destiny. Their mission involves finding Lone Starr and Yogurt while facing a new danger.
Like the first film, the sequel makes fun of familiar science-fiction storytelling. Its premise also jokes about Hollywood’s habit of bringing old franchises back.
The movie is designed to revisit the original characters while introducing a younger group. How those generations work together remains part of the story audiences will discover in theaters.
Why Did the Original Spaceballs Become So Popular?
Released in 1987, Spaceballs turned the conventions of Star Wars and other science-fiction movies into comedy. Brooks played multiple characters, while Moranis delivered one of the film’s most recognizable performances as the oversized-helmet-wearing villain Dark Helmet.
The movie became a cult favorite over time. Its memorable jokes and characters helped keep interest in a sequel alive for decades.
The new production is also notable because it reunites performers who appeared in the original movie nearly four decades earlier.
Is There a Trailer for Spaceballs: The New One?
A trailer was presented at CinemaCon in April 2026. The Los Angeles Times reported that the footage included new science-fiction jokes and another appearance by Dark Helmet.
The film’s official title was also revealed as Spaceballs: The New One, rather than the long-joked-about name Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money.
The Bottom Line
Rick Moranis is returning to the big screen in a role that fans have remembered for decades. With Mel Brooks and several original stars involved, Spaceballs: The New One connects the 1987 comedy to a new generation of characters.
The sequel is currently scheduled for April 23, 2027. Until then, the biggest draw may be seeing Moranis put on Dark Helmet’s famous helmet one more time.