Rick Moranis & the ‘Spaceballs: The New One’ Cast on Returning 40 Years Later

Fandango
FandangoApr 17, 2026

Why It Matters

The sequel demonstrates how legacy franchises can be rebooted with authentic creator involvement, turning nostalgia into a viable box‑office and streaming draw.

Key Takeaways

  • Rick Moranis returns, confirming his first film role in 40 years.
  • Josh Gad leads new script, blending nostalgia with modern satire.
  • Mel Brooks consulted, ensuring original heart and comedic soul.
  • Cast describes set experience as surreal, honoring legacy while innovating.
  • Father‑son dynamic highlighted, linking John Candy’s spirit to Gad.

Summary

At CinemaCon, the cast of Spaceballs: The New One revealed that Rick Moranis is stepping back onto the screen for the first time in four decades, joining Josh Gad and original crew to revive the cult classic. The reunion was framed as both a nostalgic tribute and a fresh comedic take on today’s cinematic landscape. The new film’s script, spearheaded by Gad and director Josh Greenbaum, aims to honor Mel Brooks’ original blend of parody and heart while commenting on modern franchise fatigue. Brooks himself consulted on the project, ensuring the sequel retains the original’s soul and humor, and even reimagines characters like Vespa with greater agency. Moranis joked he agreed to return merely to stop Gad’s relentless texts, a quip that underscored the camaraderie on set. Gad also invoked John Candy’s spirit, describing a father‑son dynamic that bridges generations of comedy. The cast repeatedly emphasized the surreal feeling of revisiting iconic costumes and sets after so many years. Industry observers see the revival as a strategic gamble: leveraging deep‑seated fan nostalgia to attract both legacy audiences and new viewers, while testing whether classic parodies can thrive in today’s streaming‑driven market.

Original Description

Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, Josh Gad, Lewis Pullman, and director Josh Greenbaum join Fandango correspondent Jacqueline Coley to share details about ‘Spacebars: The New One’, the upcoming sequel to Mel Brooks’s classic comedy. They detail how the sequel came to be 40 years after the original film’s release, Rick Moranis shares what it felt like to don the legendary helmet once again, and they discuss how father-son generational elements connect the past and the present. ‘Spaceballs: The New One’ hits theaters April 23, 2027!
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