It’s been almost 30 years since actor Rick Moranis decided to step away from his acting career. While the legendary actor has done voice work for Disney and agreed to appear in Ryan Reynolds’ Mint Mobile commercial, he hasn’t taken on a significant live-action role since his wife, costume designer Anne Belsky, passed away, and he decided his children needed him more than his fans.
Not even “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” could lure him back, even though his old castmates Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Sigourney Weaver, and Annie Potts returned. But, Mel Brooks, now 98 years old, has convinced the “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” star to return to the big screen for a sequel to his 1987 “Star Wars” spoof: “Spaceballs.”
Rick Moranis Is Returning for a Sequel to ‘Spaceballs
Moranis, 72, will be reprising his role as Dark Helmet in the sequel to the cult classic. Bill Pullman is also returning as Lone Starr, and Brooks will, once again, play Yogurt. According to Deadline, it’s expected to be released in 2027. It’s described as âA Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.â
New additions are Keke Palmer and Josh Gad. Josh Greenbaum, best known for “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” and “Will & Harper,” will be directing. The news was teased in an Amazon MGM Studios YouTube video.
“Spaceballs” centers around President Skroob (Brooks) and Dark Helmet (Moranis), who kidnap Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga). They want to steal the atmosphere of her home planet, because planet Spaceball has no more oxygen.
On a mission to save the Princess is the rogue space pilot Lone Starr (Pullman) and his partner, Barf (John Candy), who is half-man and half-dog. Brooks also portrayed Yogurt, a Yoda-like being, whom he will play in the sequel. Joan Rivers, John Hurt, and Dick Van Patten had minor roles, as well.
Moranis Never Intended To Retire
Moranis insists that he didn’t retire — he took a break.
âI took a break, which turned into a longer break,â he told The Hollywood Reporter in 2015. âBut Iâm interested in anything that I would find interesting. I still get the occasional query about a film or television role, and as soon as one comes along that piques my interest, Iâll probably do it.”
Unfortunately for those who had hoped one of the “Ghostbusters” reboots would get him back, he just wasn’t interested in either. Neither the female-led 2016 reboot nor “Afterlife” nor “Frozen Empire” interested him.
“I wish them well,” he said. “I hope itâs terrific. But it just makes no sense to me. Why would I do just one day of shooting on something I did 30 years ago?â
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