Summary

Spaceballs 2 is bringing back original cast members like Bill Pullman, Rick Moranis, and Mel Brooks.
Some original cast members, like John Candy and Joan Rivers, have passed away since the first film, and their characters must be acknowledged.
The return of Rick Moranis is highly anticipated, and fans expect Spaceballs 2 to honor the end of his retirement.

In 1987, Mel Brooks directed Spaceballs, a sci-fi comedy that parodied movies like Star Wars in Brooks' classic irreverent style. It stars Bill Pullman, John Candy, Daphne Zuniga, Dick Van Patten, Rick Moranis, Joan Rivers, and Brooks himself. The movie jokingly pitched a sequel at the end called Spaceballs 2: The Search for More Money, but that sequel never materialized until now.

Last year, sequel plans were officially announced as being in development, and recent news has seen those plans come to fruition with an official announcement trailer for Spaceballs 2. The returning cast was also revealed, with Pullman, Moranis, and Brooks all reprising their roles. Keke Palmer is joining the cast as a newcomer alongside Lewis Pullman, who joins his father as the son of Lone Starr, Starburst. Plot details are still under wraps, but the movie has plenty of new cannon fodder to fuel its story, which is currently slated to hit theaters in 2027. However, with all the positive news surrounding Spaceballs 2, the star-studded cast may cause problems for the sequel.

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By Ben Sherlock

A Lot Has Happened In The Years Since Spaceballs

A lot can happen in 40 years, and the cast of Spaceballs is a testament to that. Mel Brooks is 98 years old, which means he acts as a producer rather than director, but he's set to play Yogurt again in the sequel. Brooks took on a similar role with 2023's History of the World: Part II, a sequel series to the director's 1981 comedy, in which he served as a producer and narrator on the follow-up. The last film Brooks directed was 1995's Dracula: Dead and Loving It, starring Leslie Nielsen as the titular comedic lead.

While Brook's advanced age is notable in terms of his return, Moranis' return also spurs interest, as he retired from acting years ago to focus on his family. Many of Spaceballs' original cast members have also passed away since the film's debut. John Candy, who played Lone Starr's sidekick Barf, and Joan Rivers, who voiced Dot Matrix, are the most notable names fans may know, but they aren't alone. Dick Van Patten, who played the leader of Druidia, King Ronald, passed away in 2015. Lorene Yarnell Jansson, the actress who performed in the Dot Matrix suit, died in 2010. While Spaceballs 2 has a lot going for it, there are also numerous late cast members it must acknowledge.

John Candy & Joan Rivers Deserve Respect & Jokes In Spaceballs 2

Candy's role as Barf was a standout in Spaceballs, largely thanks to the actor's jovial screen presence. Furthermore, Barf was Lone Starr's right-hand man, acting as a parody of Chewbacca and Han Solo in Star Wars. With Pullman returning as Lone Starr, fans will want answers as to Barf's whereabouts. The character could be written off or sentimentally embraced as having passed away, but Candy's presence will still be missed. With Lewis Pullman joining the cast as Lone Starr's son, there could also be room for Barf's progeny to appear, potentially with legacy sequel elements.

Joan Rivers' role in voicing Dot Matrix could also be explained away. With Rivers' reputation as a roaster, the production could even have fun with the jokes they use. While many feel that deceased actors should be allowed to rest in peace, Rivers was the type who would likely embrace people joking about her after her passing. However, since Daphne Zuniga has not yet been announced as part of the cast, it is possible that Dot Matrix won't be part of the central story, which may not sit well with fans. Zuniga has continued to act, and even if she only returns for a small role, fans are already positing that she will be Starburst's mother.

Any movie that needs to address the death of a beloved actor already faces challenges. Spaceballs 2 finds itself in the distinctly horrible position of having several fan-favorite characters played by actors who have since passed away. This may prove to be the biggest hurdle the production needs to clear to appease audiences excited to see the new parody movie. However, Spaceballs 2 also comes from a creative team capable of loving jest when it comes to a tribute to lovingly remembered actors.

Spaceballs 2 Can't Waste The Return Of Rick Moranis

Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet — Dark Helmet from Spaceballs 1987

Spaceballs 2 will be the first starring role Rick Moranis has had in almost 25 years. He retired from acting in the late 1990s following the death of his wife. The actor and skilled comedian prioritized his family over his career, which garnered respect from fans, who also couldn't help but miss the actor. Moranis continued to do voice acting roles in movies like Brother Bear, but has embraced life away from the cameras. He recently appeared in a Mint Mobile commercial thanks to Ryan Reynolds' skills at accomplishing impossible tasks, and now Spaceballs 2 will bring Moranis back to theaters.

Given that Moranis has been away from acting for so long, and that fans have wanted to see him in projects over the years, Spaceballs 2 can't screw it up. Several Ghostbusters films have brought back the original cast, with audiences hoping the ghostly comedies could scare the actor back out of retirement, but it never came to be. With Spaceballs 2 being the project that has lured the elusive Moranis back from obscurity, it has big shoes to fill. Fans aren't looking to be disappointed, nor do they want to see the actor return to retirement due to lackluster results. The cast of Spaceballs 2 is shaping up to be something special, but the film needs to ensure that its cast, past and present, are all appropriately acknowledged.

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