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100-year-old Mel Brooks Lands at Comic-Con for 'Spaceballs' Sequel
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Culture & Society

100-year-old Mel Brooks Lands at Comic-Con for 'Spaceballs' Sequel

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Legendary filmmaker Mel Brooks, who recently turned 100, sent a video message to fans at San Diego Comic-Con announcing a sequel to his 1987 Star Wars parody, "Spaceballs."
  • The new film, titled "Spaceballs: The New One," is set to premiere in April 2027, with director Josh Greenbaum at the helm.
  • Rick Moranis will reprise his role as Dark Helmet, marking his return to the big screen after a 30-year hiatus, while Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman join the cast.

The team behind "Spaceballs: The New One," a sequel to Mel Brooks's beloved "Star Wars" parody, made a surprise appearance at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. The legendary filmmaker, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, was not present in person but shared a humorous video message with the enthusiastic audience.

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

— Mel BrooksIn a video message to fans at Comic-Con.

Brooks quipped about the long wait for the sequel, joking, "When I was your age, on a Friday, I would go to something called work." "Spaceballs," originally released in 1987 during the peak of George Lucas's "Star Wars" saga, became a cult classic. Directed by and starring Brooks, alongside the late John Candy, Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, and Daphne Zuniga, the film has maintained a dedicated following for decades.

"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 expressed in his video, acknowledging the fans' enduring support. Director Josh Greenbaum, who is directing the new installment set to premiere four decades after the original in April 2027, admitted to feeling the pressure of the project. However, he highlighted the great incentive of working with Brooks, who also contributed to this installment despite his age.

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.

— Mel BrooksExpressing gratitude to the fans for their enduring support of the film.

Rick Moranis, making a significant return to the big screen after approximately 30 years, will reprise his iconic role as Dark Helmet. He was met with a standing ovation at 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 about his long hiatus. Zuniga, along with new cast members Keke Palmer and Lewis Pullman, also graced the stage, alongside the project's screenwriters. Comic-Con continues at the San Diego Convention Center until Sunday, July 26.

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!

— Rick MoranisJoking about his return to the role of Dark Helmet after a long hiatus.
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Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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