Age of The Nerd
Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, Keke Palmer, Josh Gad, Lewis Pullman, and More Deliver One of SDCC’s Biggest Surprises Ahead of the Film’s April 2027 Release
The Schwartz is stronger than ever!
Amazon MGM Studios brought the laughs, nostalgia, and one unforgettable surprise to Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 on Friday, July 24, when the cast and creative team behind SPACEBALLS: THE NEW ONE took fans on a hilarious journey back to the galaxy that has been making audiences laugh for nearly four decades.
The panel kicked off with a heartfelt—and appropriately hilarious—video message from comedy legend Mel Brooks, setting the tone for an unforgettable celebration. Moderator Kevin Smith then welcomed stars Daphne Zuniga, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Josh Gad, director Josh Greenbaum, and screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit to the Hall H stage.
But the biggest surprise was still waiting in the wings.
As Spaceballs Troopers searched the audience for fans dressed as Dark Helmet, they uncovered the real thing—Rick Moranis—hidden among the crowd. The beloved actor’s surprise appearance sent Hall H into an explosion of cheers, earning a thunderous standing ovation as he made his triumphant return to the Spaceballs universe.
Throughout the panel, fans were treated to behind-the-scenes stories about bringing the long-awaited sequel to life. Josh Gad and Josh Greenbaum shared the unforgettable experience of pitching the project to Mel Brooks, while Rick Moranis and Daphne Zuniga reflected on stepping back into their iconic roles and reuniting with Brooks for the first time in decades.
Keke Palmer spoke about joining one of comedy’s most beloved sci-fi franchises, while Lewis Pullman discussed the unique experience of following in the footsteps of his father, Bill Pullman, who famously portrayed Lone Starr in the original classic.
Although Bill Pullman couldn’t attend in person, fans still got a special surprise when he appeared in an exclusive video message, reminding everyone that Lone Starr is never too far away.
Josh Gad also paid tribute to late comedy icon John Candy, honoring the actor as “the heart and soul” of the original Spaceballs and celebrating the lasting legacy he left on generations of fans.
By the end of the panel, one thing was abundantly clear: as Mel Brooks might say, the Schwartz is still very much with us.
SPACEBALLS: THE NEW ONE Opens in Theaters April 2027
Fans won’t have to wait forever to return to ludicrous speed. SPACEBALLS: THE NEW ONE blasts into theaters across the United States and select international territories in April 2027.
Film Credits
Director: Josh Greenbaum
Screenplay: Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, Josh Gad
Producers: Brian Grazer, Jeb Brody, Mel Brooks, Kevin Salter, Josh Gad, Josh Greenbaum
Executive Producers: Adam Merims, Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez
Cast: Rick Moranis, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Anthony Carrigan, George Wyner, Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman, and Mel Brooks
Official Synopsis
Somehow, Dark Helmet has returned.
Forty years after the original Spaceballs, fifty years after Star Wars: A New Hope, and one year after The Devil Wears Prada 2, the galaxy once again faces an outrageous new threat—one so creatively bankrupt it’s determined to recycle every piece of the past.
With Lone Starr missing, Queen Vespa ruling the galaxy, and the Schwartz stretched thinner than a franchise releasing television episodes in theaters, the universe’s last hope rests with Prince Starburst, Vespa’s reckless son, and a mysterious palace advisor named Destiny.
Their mission? Find Lone Starr, Yogurt, and every legacy hero fans have been demanding before they learn the hard way that while some enemies can be defeated… the reboot cannot.
