Ethan Carter
Exciting news for fans of the franchise! Spaceballs: The New One is set to make its theatrical debut on April 23, 2027, although it won’t be arriving at Ludicrous speed. The cast and crew took the opportunity to build anticipation during this week’s San Diego Comic-Con, and the excitement is palpable.
The panel kicked off with a comedic video introduction from the legendary Mel Brooks. Following this, the cast was introduced, but one notable absence was Rick Moranis. Curious attendees wondered about his whereabouts, prompting actors from Spaceballs to navigate through the audience with large combs, searching for Dark Helmet fans. they found Moranis, who received a warm welcome with thunderous applause and chants of “Rick, Rick, Rick.” This marks his first appearance at Comic-Con.
Moderator Kevin Smith engaged producer and star Josh Gad in a discussion about the project’s inception. Gad revealed that he cold-called Brooks and his team, presenting a 40-minute pitch filled with ideas that Brooks found delightful, albeit a bit confusing. Gad’s vision reflects the evolution of science fiction and filmmaking over the last four decades, making Spaceballs the ideal medium to reconnect audiences with the genre.
Moranis shared that he has been frequently asked about a sequel over the years. He expressed that the timing of the script and concept felt perfect for him, calling the decision to participate one of the best he has ever made. The audience was treated to footage directed by Josh Greenbaum, showcasing Brooks reuniting with Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga, as well as Moranis. Their emotional reunion highlighted longstanding friendships that had endured, despite decades of separation.
In this sequel, Brooks reprises his role as Yogurt. At the age of 100, he recorded his lines in a studio and utilized motion capture technology for his appearance, opting to forgo the traditional motion capture dots that he found bothersome.
Bill Pullman was unable to attend Comic-Con due to other filming commitments, but he sent a heartfelt letter that his son, Lewis, read aloud, causing some laughter as it humorously omitted Lewis entirely.
Keke Palmer remained tight-lipped about her character, Destiny, though she expressed her enjoyment of playing the role and praised the humor of the script. Gad also kept details about his character under wraps, revealing only that he’s not reprising the role of Barf but will portray another Mawg. He described the film as a heartfelt tribute to John Candy and the other cast members who have passed.
One of the most memorable moments of the panel came with the announcement that Spaceballs would kickstart a cinematic universe known as the Almighty Schwartz Saga, abbreviated as the ASS. The creative team shared a rapid-fire list of upcoming projects, which was so extensive that it was hard to catch every detail. Here are a few highlights:
LOL the Spaceballs Cinematic Saga announced! (This is only part of it) pic.twitter.com/6q8UF4eOFq
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 24, 2026
The panel concluded with a sneak peek of footage reminiscent of what was showcased at CinemaCon. Although the content appeared familiar, there were a few new moments. Fans saw Yogurt encased in Carbonite, humorously dubbed “Frozen Yogurt.” Dark Helmet engaged Yogurt in lightsaber battles, which featured claw-like weapons. The footage teased intriguing elements such as “Spaceballs: The Exercise Ball,” Destiny wielding a Flame Thrower, and a comedic scene referencing Game of Thrones with white-haired characters. The clip also featured younger versions of the characters descending from the sky and Dark Helmet activating a “Reboot” button, leading to a surreal sequence blending Destiny and Lewis Pullman’s characters with a nostalgic VHS scene from the original film. The preview wrapped up with a playful nod to the Avatar joke from earlier CinemaCon footage.
Starring Rick Moranis, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Anthony Carrigan, George Wyner, Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman, and Mel Brooks, Spaceballs: The New One is set to hit theaters on April 23, 2027. Here is the official plot synopsis:
Somehow, Dark Helmet has returned! Forty years after the events of the original Spaceballs, fifty years following the storyline of Star Wars: A New Hope, and one year after the events of The Devil Wears Prada 2, the galaxy faces a new and dire threat. This menace is not only evil and unstoppable but is also devoid of original ideas, intent on resurrecting the past in its entirety.
With Lone Starr in hiding, Queen Vespa ruling the throne, and the Schwartz stretched thinner than a franchise releasing TV episodes theatrically, the only hope for the galaxy lies with Vespa’s unruly son, Prince Starburst, and a mysterious palace advisor named Destiny. Together, they must locate Lone Starr, Yogurt, and any beloved legacy characters that fans demand, or they may discover that some threats can be fought, but a reboot is not one of them.
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Daniel Mercer
