Rick Moranis, long absent from Hollywood, has confirmed his return as Dark Helmet in "Spaceballs: The New One," a sequel to the 1987 cult classic. The announcement was met with a standing ovation from fans at San Diego Comic-Con International on Friday.
Moranis, 73, joined director Josh Greenbaum, writer and actor Josh Gad, writers Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, and new cast members Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman on a panel in Hall H. When his name was announced, Moranis initially hid in the crowd under an oversized helmet, reminiscent of his character.
"This came along at the right time," Moranis said of the film, which is slated for release next April. "It just felt like this is it. ... It is the best decision I ever made. It’s like family to me."
Palmer described the script as exceptionally funny, noting her surprised reactions while reading it. Pullman, son of original "Spaceballs" actor Bill Pullman, admitted he was initially hesitant to join the project but was convinced by the script's quality. "I read it and I was like, 'Damn it. This is so good. ... This is one of the funniest scripts I’ve ever read,'" Pullman said. "I would be a fool. It would be weird if I didn’t do it."
Although Mel Brooks and Bill Pullman were not present, they sent prerecorded video messages to fans. Footage shown during the panel included Brooks in a vocal booth, reuniting with Bill Pullman and co-star Daphne Zuniga, and a sneak peek of a teaser trailer.
Gad confirmed he is playing a new character, a mawg, and not John Candy's original character, Barf. The filmmakers intend to honor late original cast members, including Candy, Joan Rivers, Dom DeLuise, and Dick Van Patten.
The panel also parodied the extensive film timelines of cinematic universes, such as Marvel Studios, with a humorous display showcasing imagined sequels in multiple phases of "The Almighty Schwartz Saga."