Why Rick Moranis returning for Spaceballs 2 is a big deal
Why Rick Moranis returning for Spaceballs 2 is a big deal
Thursday's announcement of the Spaceballs sequel hitting theaters in 2027 with the great Mel Brooks back as the omnipotent (and Spaceballs merch-laden) Yogurt was already great enough to begin with.
However, the reported return of legendary comedic actor Rick Moranis as the Darth Vader spoof Dark Helmet by Deadline pushed this wave of movie news over the edge into truly special territory.
Moranis remains one of the most beloved comedy actors of his generation, as the SC-TV alum transitioned into a successful film career. Beloved films of his include the Ghostbusters series, Strange Brew, Little Shop of Horrors, the Honey, I Shrunk the Kids series, Parenthood, Streets of Fire, My Blue Heaven and Little Giants.
Outside of a handful of voice roles, including Disney's Brother Bear, Moranis hasn't acted in a live-action film since 1997's direct-to-video Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. He hasn't acted in a live-action film sent to theaters since the Moranis-Tom Arnold two-hander Big Bully in 1996.
Moranis did provide a voice cameo on the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs as Dark Helmet in 2018, but this will be his first official reprisal of the character and his biggest project in film or television since Brother Bear.
Moranis never technically retired, but he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2015 he has no regrets about his extended acting hiatus. The publication wrote that his late wife, Ann, died from breast cancer in 1997, and he chose to focus on raising his two children after that tragic event.
'I was working with really interesting people, wonderful people,' Moranis told THR about his life before his break from the industry. 'I went from that to being at home with a couple of little kids, which is a very different lifestyle. But it was important to me. I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. My life is wonderful.'
Moranis had agreed to star in Disney's Honey, I Shrunk the Kids reboot with Josh Gad, but the latter shared in 2023 that the COVID-19 pandemic, scheduling and budget concerns all played a role in derailing that project.
Now 72, Moranis will now officially work with Gad and reunite with Brooks and Bill Pullman, who will reprise his Spaceballs role as the Luke Skywalker/Han Solo parody Lone Starr, for the comedy sequel. Gad co-wrote the film's script and is expected to have an acting role in the project. Nope's Keke Palmer also reportedly has a role in the sequel.
While this isn't Moranis' first sequel, the Spaceballs follow-up's 2027 arrival will bring Moranis back to the screen for the first time in 31 years. May the Schwartz be with him in his anticipated theatrical return.
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