The pair, who first starred together in 1987’s ‘Spaceballs,’ are sharing the screen once more in the film’s long-awaited sequel, ‘Spaceballs: The New One’
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NEED TO KNOW
- Rick Moranis and Mel Brooks reunited after nearly four decades apart when the Spaceballs sequel was greenlit
- “I am so glad you’re doing this,” Brooks told Moranis via video at San Diego Comic-Con
- Spaceballs: The New One features returning actors like Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman, plus the latter’s son Lewis and Keke Palmer
After nearly four decades apart, Rick Moranis and Mel Brooks shared a heartfelt reunion.
The two actors, who first starred together in 1987’s Spaceballs, are sharing the screen once more in the film’s long-awaited sequel, Spaceballs: The New One. At San Diego Comic-Con, during the forthcoming film’s panel on July 25, Moranis, 73, shed some light on his wholesome reunion with Brooks, 100, after so many years away.
Following the original Spaceballs movie — a parody of contemporary sci-fi films, particularly Star Wars — Moranis and Brooks mainly kept in contact by phone.
Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty
“I just kept getting phone calls from him every time another Star Wars would come out,” Moranis revealed. “And really, and he would say, ‘We have to make the sequel. We have to make the sequel.’”
He added, “When this finally happened, I came out to Los Angeles, [and] went over to his house for the first time in 39 years.”
Josh Greenbaum, who’s directing and producing the project, revealed that he was with Moranis for the heartwarming moment. Not wanting to miss a thing, he filmed Brooks and Moranis’s reunion, and has “a little clip of that” somewhere now.
Spaceballs saw Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet, the villainous spoof of Star Wars’ iconic villain Darth Vader. Brooks, in turn, starred in dual roles: as Yogurt, a golden version of Yoda, and as President Skroob, which bears a likeness to Emperor Palpatine.
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Brooks, who attended the panel through video chat, said to his costar, “I’m so happy… I’m so tickled. This is so great. Thank you!”
“I’m excited, too. I’m happy to see you!” Moranis said, and Brooks replied, “I am so glad you’re doing this.”
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Alongside Brooks and Moranis, Spaceballs: The New One stars returning actors Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman, the latter of whom is also joined by his son, Lewis Pullman. Additional new members of the stacked cast include Josh Gad and Keke Palmer.
Spaceballs: The New One arrives in theaters April 23, 2027.
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