Rick Moranis Unretires For Spaceballs 2, But A Pitch-Perfect Star Wars Sequels Parody Steals The Spotlight
Not even in theaters yet, the sequel is already taking a lightsaber to The Force Awakens.
Yes, Spaceballs 2 is actually happening. And now we have a first-look photo of the cast sitting together, already poking the bear that is Star Wars. It has been a long time coming for the sequel to the 1987 parody, but this lineup is the real deal.
Who is in Spaceballs 2
- Rick Moranis returns as Dark Helmet, coming out of retirement to put the bucket back on
- Bill Pullman is back as Lone Star
- Lewis Pullman joins as Lone Star's son, Starburst
- Keke Palmer joins the cast
- Josh Gad joins the cast
- Daphne Zuniga returns
- George Wyner returns
- Mel Brooks returns
The newly released cast photo is a black-and-white group shot that is very intentionally riffing on The Force Awakens' 2014 table read image. Inside baseball move, and pretty funny if you recognize the reference. One fan summed it up nicely, noting the gag lands a thousand times harder once you clock the callback. The photo, and the fan chatter around it, started making the rounds on September 25, 2025.
How we got here
Mel Brooks announced the sequel back in June and, in classic Brooks fashion, did not oversell the premise so much as roast it on the spot:
"After 40 years we asked, what do the fans want? But instead, we're making this movie. May the Schwartz be with you!"
For anyone who needs a refresher: the original Spaceballs was Brooks' sci-fi spoof that took aim at Star Wars first and foremost, with friendly fire toward Star Trek and Transformers. Bill Pullman played heroic mercenary Lone Star, John Candy (RIP) was his half-dog sidekick Barf, and Daphne Zuniga was Princess Vespa. The villains were President Skroob (Brooks) and the gloriously inept Dark Helmet (Moranis). It is still one of the most quotable comedies ever made, and yes, that makes a sequel a very high-wire act.
The extra chatter
Star Wars alum John Boyega has already volunteered himself for duty. Earlier this month he joked that his phone has yet to ring and basically told the team to call him so he can help make Spaceballs legit. No word yet on any new casting beyond the names above, but the interest is clearly there.
Between Moranis dusting off Dark Helmet, the Pullman father-son tag team, and that table-read parody photo, the tone feels right. If the first tease is already dunking on Star Wars ephemera, we might actually be in for a proper Spaceballs follow-up.
Spaceballs 2 hits theaters in 2027.