Rick Moranis Reflects on Returning to 'Spaceballs' After Decades Away

The actor notes one key difference in filming the sequel compared to the original.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 11:06pm

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Rick Moranis is reprising his iconic role as Dark Helmet in the upcoming Spaceballs sequel, titled 'Spaceballs: The New One.' In a recent interview, Moranis reflected on the experience of reuniting with the original cast, noting that the only real difference was that his co-star Bill Pullman brought his son Lewis Pullman to set, who is also joining the cast. Moranis said the overall experience of filming the sequel felt just like the first movie, with the added surreal element of working with a new generation.

Why it matters

The return of Rick Moranis to the 'Spaceballs' franchise after over 25 years away from live-action acting is a highly anticipated event for fans of the classic sci-fi parody. Moranis' comments about the filming experience highlight the sense of nostalgia and legacy surrounding the sequel, as well as the passing of the torch to a new generation of actors.

The details

In the interview, Moranis noted that the only real difference in filming 'Spaceballs: The New One' compared to the original 1987 film was the addition of Bill Pullman's son, Lewis Pullman, to the cast. Moranis said it felt 'like I was living life all over again, and working with people who are the age that I was for the last time I did this.' The elder Pullman also commented on the experience of watching his son, who is the same age Pullman was when he starred in the first 'Spaceballs,' join the cast.

  • The original 'Spaceballs' film was released in 1987.
  • The sequel, 'Spaceballs: The New One,' is scheduled to hit theaters on April 23, 2027.

The players

Rick Moranis

An actor known for his roles in comedies like 'Ghostbusters,' 'Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,' and the original 'Spaceballs,' in which he played the villainous Dark Helmet. Moranis is reprising this role in the upcoming sequel.

Bill Pullman

An actor who starred as the heroic Lone Starr in the original 'Spaceballs' film. Pullman is returning for the sequel and will be joined by his son, Lewis Pullman, who is also joining the cast.

Lewis Pullman

The son of actor Bill Pullman, who is joining the cast of 'Spaceballs: The New One' to play the son of Lone Starr and Queen Vespa.

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What they’re saying

“Well, for me, it felt like I was living life all over again, and working with people who are the age that I was for the last time I did this. The only difference was Bill came with his son. But other than that, it felt exactly like the first movie.”

— Rick Moranis, Actor

“like he was watching himself, as his son was the same age as him when he did the first movie.”

— Bill Pullman, Actor

What’s next

Fans will have to wait until April 23, 2027 to see 'Spaceballs: The New One' when it hits theaters.

The takeaway

The return of Rick Moranis to the 'Spaceballs' franchise after over 25 years away, along with the addition of a new generation of actors like Lewis Pullman, promises to bring a fresh yet nostalgic feel to the beloved sci-fi parody series.