Rick Moranis brings Dark Helmet back for Spaceballs 2 at Comic-Con
Rick Moranis surprised San Diego Comic-Con in full Dark Helmet gear as Spaceballs: The New One set its 2027 theatrical date.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Rick Moranis Spaceballs 2 chatter got very real Friday when the actor made a surprise entrance at San Diego Comic-Con for the sequel panel, TODAY reported.
Moranis, 73, is returning as Dark Helmet, the oversized-helmet villain from Mel Brooks’ 1987 “Star Wars” spoof “Spaceballs.” According to TODAY, he walked through Hall H at the San Diego Convention Center wearing the character’s enormous helmet, drawing a standing ovation from the packed room.
Fandango shared video on X showing Moranis’ Hall H entrance for “Spaceballs: The New One.” The appearance marked a rare public movie-promotion moment for Moranis, who stepped back from appearing in films almost three decades ago, according to TODAY.
When does Spaceballs 2 come out?
“Spaceballs: The New One” is scheduled to open in theaters on April 23, 2027, according to TODAY. The film is the sequel to Brooks’ original 1987 parody, with Moranis reprising Dark Helmet and Brooks involved as both producer and returning cast member.
TODAY reported that Moranis did not start the event seated with the rest of the panel. Instead, he was hidden in the audience under the helmet before revealing himself and joining the discussion.
Speaking to fans after the entrance, Moranis said the timing felt right for his return to the franchise. “It just felt like this is it. It’s time,” he told the crowd, according to TODAY. “I said yes, and it is the best decision I’ve ever made.”
The actor’s return to the role had been announced last year, TODAY reported. At the panel, Moranis also joked that he had not left the business in the way fans may have assumed, saying, “I wasn’t really retired. I was just negotiating.” He also said he had discussed the possibility of a sequel as far back as 1989.
The sequel was pushed by several comedians and actors, including Josh Gad, according to TODAY. Brooks, who directed the first movie, is also set to return onscreen as Yogurt, the film’s parody of Yoda.
The Comic-Con panel also took a swipe at the Marvel Cinematic Universe format. According to TODAY and posts from Fandango, the event unveiled a joke “Spaceballs Cinematic Universe,” including more than 11 phases and a segment called “The Almighty Schwartz Saga.”
Brooks, who recently turned 100, did not appear in person at the event, TODAY reported. He sent a video message instead, and Deadline reported that Brooks joked he was on the convention floor trying to buy a rare Charizard card.
“When I was your age, on a Friday, I would go to something called ‘work,’” Brooks said in the video, according to Deadline. “From the bottom of my heart I want to say, thank you, nerds.”
This story draws on original reporting from NBC News.