Show summary Hide summary
- Return to the red carpet: Moranis at CinemaCon in Las Vegas
- Photos, smiles and familiar faces
- Behind the curtain: who’s making the sequel
- Mel Brooks teases footage and a release date
- Milestones on the road to the sequel
- Why Moranis’ appearance matters
- Moranis on stepping back and choosing family
- Fan reaction and industry buzz
- What to expect before April 2027
- Legacy and stakes for the sequel
Rick Moranis stepped back into the spotlight this week, reuniting with fellow Spaceballs alumni at a high-profile CinemaCon event in Las Vegas to promote the franchise’s long-awaited sequel.
Return to the red carpet: Moranis at CinemaCon in Las Vegas
The 72-year-old comedian made a rare public appearance at Amazon MGM Studios’ presentation inside Caesars Palace. Cameras captured warm exchanges and photo ops with original co-stars, signaling a joyful comeback for a performer who has mostly stayed out of the limelight for decades.
Spirit elite status: claim a status match from these airlines now
John Cena teases history-making WWE Backlash role
- Event: CinemaCon 2026 presentation
- Location: Colosseum at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas
- Purpose: Promotion of Spaceballs: The New One
Photos, smiles and familiar faces
On the red carpet, Moranis posed alongside Daphne Zuniga, who reprises Princess Vespa. Other snapshots show him smiling with Bill Pullman, who returns as Lone Starr. The images reinforced that key players from the 1987 cult hit still share warm chemistry.
New cast members joined the original stars for the presentation. Among them were Josh Gad and Lewis Pullman, the latter of whom joins his father in the franchise.
Behind the curtain: who’s making the sequel
Mel Brooks, creator of the original Spaceballs, appears in a pre-recorded segment to pass the torch. Director Josh Greenbaum is steering the new film, marking a generational handoff for the spoof epic.
- Director: Josh Greenbaum
- Returning stars: Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman
- New additions: Josh Gad, Lewis Pullman
- Studio: Amazon MGM Studios
Mel Brooks teases footage and a release date
The crowd saw the first footage from the project during Brooks’ recorded appearance. He announced the film’s title as Spaceballs: The New One and revealed a theatrical release set for April 23, 2027.
Brooks mixed self-deprecating humor with promotion, promising fans the sequel will capture the spirit of the original while feeling current. He closed his message with the franchise’s signature line: “May the Schwartz be with you.”
Milestones on the road to the sequel
The new film was publicly confirmed in mid-2025. Production milestones since then include the first table read, held last September, and casting announcements that blend veteran performers and fresh faces.
- June 2025: Sequel announced
- September 2025: First table read reported
- April 2026: CinemaCon teaser and official release date revealed
Why Moranis’ appearance matters
Moranis walked away from film acting in 1997 after the death of his wife, Anne Belsky. He then prioritized raising their two children, Rachel and Mitchell, and largely retreated from on-screen life.
His return to live events and principal acting marks a rare re-engagement with the industry. Over the years he accepted some voice roles, but live-action work remained mostly absent from his résumé.
Moranis on stepping back and choosing family
In past interviews he described the break from Hollywood as a deliberate choice to care for his family. He spoke of adjusting to a very different daily life, trading the film set for parenting duties.
While he stepped away from many projects, he never fully closed the door on acting. He remained open to roles that genuinely sparked his interest.
Fan reaction and industry buzz
The CinemaCon reveal generated immediate headlines and strong social media chatter. Fans of the original film reacted to seeing classic characters return, while new cast members fueled curiosity about how the sequel will balance nostalgia and fresh comedy.
- Longtime fans praised the reunion photos.
- Industry observers noted Brooks’ involvement maintains creative continuity.
- Critics and audiences will watch for tone and how the film updates its satire for a new era.
What to expect before April 2027
Between now and the release date, audiences can expect more marketing drops, additional cast details and likely footage shared at festivals or studio events. With the blend of legacy talent and new performers, the campaign will aim to bridge generations of moviegoers.
Production and promotion schedules typically include:
- Additional trailers and clips
- Interviews with cast and creative team
- Festival appearances and press junkets
Legacy and stakes for the sequel
Forty years after the original movie, Spaceballs: The New One carries both nostalgic weight and commercial expectations. The project must honor a beloved comedy while presenting fresh material for modern audiences.
For fans, the reunion of Rick Moranis and his former co-stars is a key selling point. For the studio and creative team, the challenge is updating the satire without losing the franchise’s quirky heart.
