Mel Brooks lands at Comic-Con for Spaceballs sequel

San Diego, California - From the far reaches of the galaxy, the team behind Spaceballs: The New One, the sequel to comedy master Mel Brooks' Star Wars parody, landed at Comic-Con on Friday in San Diego.

Rick Moranis (l.) wears his Lord Dark Helmet costume as he attends Spaceballs: The New One panel, for which Mel Brooks (r.) contributed a video message, during Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 24, 2026.
Rick Moranis (l.) wears his Lord Dark Helmet costume as he attends Spaceballs: The New One panel, for which Mel Brooks (r.) contributed a video message, during Comic-Con International in San Diego on July 24, 2026.  © Collage: EMMA MCINTYRE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP & CHRIS DELMAS / AFP

The legendary filmmaker, who has just turned 100, did not attend Hall H, the convention's largest venue, but recorded a hilarious video for an enthusiastic audience.

"I know you've been waiting in line for a long time, maybe even days, and I ask why," Brooks joked. "When I was your age, on a Friday, I would go to something called work."

Spaceballs was released in 1987 at the height of George Lucas' galactic saga.

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Directed by and starring Brooks, alongside John Candy – who died in 1994 – Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, and Daphne Zuniga, it became a cult classic.

"Everyone in this audience has kept Spaceballs alive for all these years, so from the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you, nerds," Brooks said.

In Hall H, director Josh Greenbaum, who is helming the sequel set to premiere four decades later in April 2027, admitted feeling pressure in taking on the project.

But he said working with Brooks, who despite his age also acted in this installment, was a great incentive.

Moranis, returning to the big screen after a hiatus of about 30 years, reprised his role as Dark Helmet and was greeted with a standing ovation in Comic-Con's main hall.

"I started talking to Mel about a sequel in 1989, and we kept talking about it. I really wasn't retired. I was just negotiating!" Moranis joked.

Zuniga and the new stars of this galaxy, Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman, also took to the stage, as well as the project's screenwriters.

Comic-Con is being held at the San Diego Convention Center until Sunday, July 26.

Cover photo: Collage: EMMA MCINTYRE / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP & CHRIS DELMAS / AFP

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