Welcome back, Rick Moranis.
The beloved actor reunited with his “Spaceballs” co-stars to celebrate the classic film’s upcoming sequel on Wednesday, marking his triumphant return nearly 30 years after leaving Hollywood.
The 72-year-old resurfaced to promote “Spaceballs: The New One” at Amazon MGM Studios’ CinemaCon 2026 presentation in Las Vegas.
Rick Moranis (pictured here with Daphne Zuniga at CinemaCon 2026 on Wednesday) reunited with his “Spaceballs” co-stars on a red carpet. Getty Images for CinemaCon
The “Ghostbusters” star (seen here with Bill Pullman on Wednesday) stepped out with his cast members to promote “Space Balls: The New One” at Amazon MGM Studios’ CinemaCon 2026 presentation in Las Vegas. Getty Images for CinemaCon
The comedian, who is reprising his role as Lord Dark Helmet, posed with Daphne Zuniga, who plays Princess Vespa, in a sweet snap from the event.
Another shot showed the “Little Shop of Horrors” star and Bill Pullman, who plays Lone Starr, smiling for the camera.
The original cast members’ new “Space Balls: The New One” co-stars, including Josh Gad and Pullman’s son Lewis Pullman, attended the event.
Moranis (pictured above on Wednesday) took photos with both Zuniga and Pullman during the event. Getty Images for CinemaCon
The comedian also posed with some of his new co-stars, including Josh Gad and Lewis Pullman, as well as director Josh Greenbaum (all pictured above at CinemaCon 2026). Getty Images for CinemaCon
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Director Josh Greenbaum, who took the reins from Mel Brooks, 99, to helm the space opera comedy follow-up, was also present at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
Brooks, appearing in a pre-recorded teaser, shared the first footage from the forthcoming comedy while announcing its official “Spaceballs: The New One” title and April 23, 2027, release date.
After joking that the sequel won’t be called “Spaceballs: The Search for More Money” because “after all these years” he “found the money” in his basement, Brooks promised the new movie “is just like the old one, only newer.”
Moranis (pictured above waving to fans during Wednesday’s event) is reprising his role as Lord Dark Helmet for the “Spaceballs” sequel. Getty Images for CinemaCon
The “Little Shop of Horrors” star (seen above with Lewis Pullman) first starred as Lord Dark Helmet in the original space opera parody in 1987. Getty Images
“I’ll see you at the movies, and may the Schwartz be with you,” the comedy legend, who plays Yogurt and President Skroob, concluded, using an iconic catchphrase from the original flick.
Announced in June 2025, the “Spaceballs” sequel will hit theaters 40 years after the first came out in 1987.
The cast was spotted doing its first table read this past September.
Mel Brooks appeared in a pre-recorded teaser to share the first footage from “Spaceballs: The New One” at CinemaCon 2026. amazon mgm studios/ youtube
Brooks, who directed the original, joked that the sequel won’t be called “Spaceballs: The Search for More Money.” amazon mgm studios/ youtube
Moranis’ decision to return comes almost three decades after he stepped away from Hollywood in 1997 following his wife Anne Belsky’s tragic death from cancer.
The “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” star became a full-time dad for his and Belsky’s daughter, Rachel, and son, Mitchell, in 1991.
Although Moranis took a lengthy hiatus from live-action projects, he waded back into Hollywood for voiceover work like “Brother Bear” and “Brother Bear 2” in the early 2000s.
The “Spaceballs” sequel is scheduled to release in April 2027, 40 years after the original’s release. ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
Moranis (seen above in “Spaceballs”) stepped away from Hollywood in 1997. ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I took a break, which turned into a longer break,” he told the Hollywood Reporter in 2015. “But I’m interested in anything that I would find interesting.
“I still get the occasional query about a film or television role, and as soon as one comes along that piques my interest,” he continued at the time.
Moranis also emphasized he had “no regrets” about leaving Hollywood to focus on his family.
The comedian (pictured here as Lord Dark Helmet in “Spaceballs”) chose to become a full-time dad after his wife, Anne Belsky, died in 1991. ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
“I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever,” Moranis said in 2015 after stepping away from Hollywood. “My life is wonderful.” ©MGM/Courtesy Everett Collection
“It was important to me,” Moranis said — while acknowledging his “very different lifestyle.”
He explained, “I was working with really interesting people, wonderful people. I went from that to being at home with a couple of little kids.
“I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever,” the “Ghostbusters” star clarified. “My life is wonderful.”