The Cast and Crew of 'Spaceballs: The New One' Have a Ludicrously Good Time at SDCC 2026

After four decades of rest (or awaiting a marketing resurgence), the Schwartz is finally ready to awaken in ‘Spaceballs: The new One’. A brand-new teaser poster, fresh from Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 has been revealed.

Originally released in 1987, Mel Brooks' science fiction epic Spaceballs began life as a George Lucas-approved parody of the Star Wars franchise (on the condition that Brooks not merchandise the film so as not to cut into Lucas' own lucrative deal). Starring a fresh-faced Bill Pullman as the roughish Lone Starr (a send-up of both Han Solo and Luke Skywalker) and John Candy as his co-pilot Barf (a knockoff of Chewbacca), the film follows the duo as they attempt to rescue the beautiful Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga’s take on a Princess Leia type) from the clutches of the Spaceballs, led by Brooks’ own President Skroob and Rick Morranis as Dark Helmet. Along the way, the group encounters other silly versions of science fiction's great characters such as Yogurt, Pizza the Hut and even actor John Hurt reprising his role as the chest-bursting Kane from the 1979 classic Alien.

First reported in 2024, the Spaceballs sequel was to feature Josh Gad as a writer and to be directed by prolific comedy director Josh Greenbaum. Taking a page out of the Star Wars sequels of the 2010s, Spaceballs: The New One follows the shocking return of Dark Helmet. Lone Star has since gone into hiding while Vespa, now Queen, takes care of royal duties and raising their son, Starburst (Bill Pullman’s real-life son, Lewis). Along with Keke Palmer as Destiny (a take on Rey from the recent Star Wars films), the cast of the original Spaceballs must reunite to face this returning threat to the galaxy.

While the film debuted the new cast and a teaser trailer at CinemaCon back in May, this was a closed-door event. So all eyes were on San Diego Comic Con 2026, the biggest geek event in the world, to really show what the film has.

At this SDCC panel, moderated by filmmaker/former convenience store employee Kevin Smith, the event opened with a hilarious yet heartfelt message from original Spaceballs director Mel Brooks. As both the returning cast and young blood made their way onto the stage, fans were met with an exciting surprise: Rick Moranis himself was hiding in the audience, who quickly made his way to the main stage to thunderous applause from both congoers and his castmates. The panel itself was full of reminiscing, fun stories from both the old and new casts and excitement for the future.

The Schwartz may not be returning until next spring, but the cast of Spaceballs: The New One is making sure that it’s growing in strength until then!

Spaceballs: The New One opens in the United States and other select territories in April 2027. It is directed by Josh Greenbaum from a screenplay by Josh Gad, Benjamin Samit and Dan Hernandez. It stars Rick Moranis, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Anthony Carrigan, George Wyner, Daphne Zuniga, Bill Pullman and Mel Brooks.