Spaceballs 2 ramps up production as Rick Moranis returns in 2027 sequel

Production on Spaceballs 2 is moving into high gear, with Rick Moranis reportedly reprising his role as Lord Dark Helmet and a lineup of original stars expected to return for the sci-fi parody. The project is targeting a 2027 theatrical release, marking nearly four decades since the original film hit theaters.

Amazon MGM Studios posted a photo from a table read that appears to tease the cast for Spaceballs 2. The image riffs on the famous behind-the-scenes shot from Star Wars: The Force Awakens and signals which actors will be part of the new installment. Variety reports that Bill Pullman will reprise his Lone Starr role, and Mel Brooks will produce and return as Yogurt. Daphne Zuniga and George Wyner are also set to return.

New additions to the roster are expected to include Lewis Pullman, the son of Bill Pullman, along with Keke Palmer and Josh Gad. The casting signals a blend of familiar faces and new names joining the revival, though details about who else may come aboard and which roles they will play remain under wraps. In keeping with the original’s spoof-heavy DNA, the production is framing Spaceballs 2 as a continuation that nods to its Spaceballs heritage while pursuing fresh narrative avenues.

Moranis would return to a live-action feature after a long hiatus that began with 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. Since then, he has largely stepped back from on-screen acting, though he has participated in voice acting and other screen work in the years since. The current project underscores his long-awaited comeback to live action and his return to a character he originated in the 1980s.

The film is being directed by Josh Greenbaum, whose credits include Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, and the script is being developed by a team led by Gad, alongside Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez. Details about Spaceballs 2’s plot remain tightly held, with Amazon MGM describing the title as potentially the working name and noting that plot specifics are still being defined as information about the story evolves. The project has also been described in some circles as a “Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film,” a tagline that has circulated alongside early announcements.

Brooks confirmed the project in a June video message that leaned into the satire of contemporary sci-fi trends. In the clip, he reflected on fan expectations and the intent behind revisiting the franchise, quipping, “After 40 years, we asked, What do the fans want? But instead, we’re making this movie. May the Schwartz be with you.” The forthcoming Spaceballs 2 is expected to roll out in theaters in 2027, with industry observers watching closely for how the new and returning cast will harmonize the original’s comedic voice with modern production values.

As Spaceballs 2 moves toward its production timetable, fans of the original are weighing Moranis’s reported return against questions about the film’s tonal compatibility and narrative direction. Moranis’s career arc—marked by a pause in live-action work and selective return to screen roles—adds an extra layer of anticipation to the project. The collaboration between Brooks’s long-running creative voice and Greenbaum’s directing approach could shape how Spaceballs 2 balances nostalgia with contemporary sensibilities, while the involvement of Gad, Samit and Hernandez on the writing team suggests a concerted effort to anchor the sequel in familiar humor while exploring new ideas.

In addition to the cast and creative team announcements, the production move signals a broader push in genre parody within a period of renewed interest in retro/comic franchises. Spaceballs 2’s development reflects a convergence of classic comedy pedigree and new star power, as studios seek to leverage familiar fan bases while introducing fresh audiences to the Spaceballs universe. If the 2027 release proceeds as planned, the film would mark a notable return to live-action for Moranis and a significant franchise expansion for a property that has long been regarded as a cult touchstone for fans of spoof cinema.