Rick Moranis is set to make a long-awaited return to live-action acting with the upcoming sequel “Spaceballs 2,” a follow-up to the beloved 1987 sci-fi parody. Moranis will reprise his iconic role as the comically villainous Lord Dark Helmet, sharing the screen with returning cast members Bill Pullman as Lone Starr, Mel Brooks as the humorous Yogurt, Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa, and George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz. New faces joining this intergalactic satirical adventure include Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, and Anthony Carrigan.
Production for “Spaceballs 2” is currently underway, with Amazon MGM confirming the full cast and sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the initial table read. The film is scheduled to hit theaters in 2027, much to the excitement of fans.
Josh Greenbaum, recognized for his works including “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” will direct the film from a script crafted by Gad, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez. Although the complete title and plot details haven’t been officially revealed, the press release from Amazon MGM hinted humorously at the film’s nature, indicating it is a “non-prequel non-reboot sequel part two but with reboot elements franchise expansion film.” The sequel is anticipated to maintain the spirit of its predecessor, playfully spoofing popular sci-fi franchises like “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,” and “Alien.”
Moranis, best known for his roles in comedy classics such as “Ghostbusters,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” took a hiatus from acting after the passing of his wife, Ann Belsky, in 1991. Although he had plans to return for another installment of “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” in 2020, those plans were sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, Moranis has lent his voice to various animated characters but hasn’t appeared on screen since the 1997 film “Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves.”
The original “Spaceballs” was directed and co-written by comedy icon Mel Brooks, whose impressive legacy includes classics like “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” and “Young Frankenstein.” At 99 years old, Brooks will not only return as a producer for the sequel but also infuse the project with his distinct comedic style. Producing alongside Brooks are Hollywood heavyweights Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, and Jeb Brody, as well as Gad, Greenbaum, and Kevin Salter, while Adam Merims, Samit, and Hernandez will take on executive production roles.
As anticipation builds for “Spaceballs 2,” fans are hopeful that the sequel will capture the magic of the original while bringing fresh humor and star power to the screen. This project marks both a significant return for Moranis and an exciting new chapter in a beloved franchise.