Rick Moranis gets emotional after Spaceballs sequel ovation

Rick Moranis made a rare public appearance at a special screening of Spaceballs: The New One, where the beloved actor became emotional after receiving a standing ovation from the audience.

The Canadian comedian and actor surprised fans by joining his co-stars Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman and Daphne Zuniga during the event held in San Diego on Friday, July 24, 2026. The appearance marked another milestone in Moranis’ long-awaited return to the big screen after years away from acting.

Following the screening of the upcoming comedy, the audience applauded the cast with an enthusiastic standing ovation. The heartfelt response visibly moved Moranis, who later addressed the crowd from the stage and reflected on his decision to return for the sequel.

Speaking to attendees, Moranis joked that he had little choice but to accept the project because Josh Gad would not stop contacting him. He then revealed that conversations about making a sequel had actually begun decades ago with filmmaker Mel Brooks.

According to Moranis, discussions about continuing the Spaceballs story first started in 1989. Although the project remained in development for years, it never reached production. During that period, he had also considered returning to another fan-favorite franchise through a new Honey, I Shrunk the Kids film.

The actor also dismissed the long-standing belief that he had completely retired from acting. With his trademark humor, he said he was never truly retired and joked that he had simply been “negotiating” all along.

Moranis explained that everything finally came together when he learned more about the cast and creative team behind the sequel. After speaking with director Josh Greenbaum and discovering that original cast member Bill Pullman would return alongside his son, Lewis Pullman, he felt the timing was perfect.

He said meeting the team and seeing the passion surrounding the production convinced him that it was the right moment to step back into the iconic role. Moranis described accepting the project as one of the best decisions he has ever made.

Amazon MGM Studios officially confirmed in September 2025 that Moranis would reprise his legendary role as Dark Helmet, the unforgettable parody of Darth Vader from Mel Brooks’ 1987 sci-fi comedy Spaceballs. His return generated excitement among longtime fans who had waited decades to see the actor back on screen.

The sequel also reunites Bill Pullman, who originally portrayed Lone Starr, a humorous parody inspired by classic Star Wars heroes. This time, Pullman will appear alongside his son Lewis Pullman, adding a new generation to the franchise while maintaining ties to the original film.

With several original cast members returning and new stars joining the adventure, Spaceballs: The New One aims to introduce the beloved comedy to a new audience while celebrating the legacy of the 1987 classic.