After decades out of the spotlight, Rick Moranis is preparing a Hollywood return that has fans buzzing with nostalgia. The actor, known for his unforgettable roles in 1980s and 1990s comedies, is stepping back into one of his most famous characters.
Rick Moranis, the beloved comedy star who stepped away from Hollywood in the 1990s to raise his children, is officially making a long-awaited comeback.
The 73-year-old actor is set to reprise one of his most iconic roles, returning as Dark Helmet in a sequel to Mel Brooks’ 1987 cult classic parody “Spaceballs.” The sequel was announced in June 2025.
Rick Moranis poses at the opening night arrivals of “In & Of Itself” at The Daryl Roth Theatre on April 12, 2017 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The project will also see the return of Bill Pullman, who played Lone Starr in the original film, alongside new cast members Keke Palmer, Daphne Zuniga, and Josh Gad, with Lewis Pullman — Bill’s son — also joining the cast. Brooks, now 100, will reprise his roles as both Yogurt and President Skroob, with Josh Greenbaum directing.
The sequel is currently scheduled to hit theaters on April 23, 2027. Moranis left acting nearly three decades ago after the death of his wife, costume designer Ann Belsky, who passed away from breast cancer in 1991.
The couple had two children, Rachel and Mitchell. Choosing to prioritize fatherhood, Moranis gradually withdrew from film work to raise them as a single parent.