When Spaceballs: The New Onehits theaters next April, it will be the first time in over 30 years that Rick Moranis has appeared on the big screen. The star of Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, and, yes, Spaceballs, famously took a hiatus from acting in the 1990s to raise his kids after his wife passed away. This sequel will now be his big return and, to prove just how big of a deal that was, the team behind the Spaceballs sequel set their sights on one place: San Diego Comic-Con.
We’ve already covered some of the excellent moments that happened when Spaceballs: The New One took over Hall H at Comic-Con this past weekend, but Esquire has a fantastic look behind the scenes of the whole thing. The article details the rehearsals, the themed dinner beforehand, Josh Gad’s idea to spoof Johnny Depp, and the fact that they wanted Moranis to come to Comic-Con to show him just how beloved he is.
Of course, the aim was to promote the movie too, but that wasn’t the only reason. “Part of this was to make sure that Rick knew we weren’t the only people who love him,” producer Jeb Brody told Esquire. “We wanted that moment at Comic-Con. We’ve been talking about it forever: Rick walking in and feeling the house come down and embrace him for all that he gave them.”
“He doesn’t want to be an icon,” Brody continued. “He doesn’t want to be a hero. My sense is he wants to be funny. He wanted to be a normal person. And he wants to tell good jokes and make good work.”
This mainly happened in an extended opening introduction for the panel where people dressed as the villainous Spaceballs combed Hall H to find the actor, who was hiding in plain sight in his Dark Helmet mask. The whole bit, which was rehearsed earlier in the weekend, had a few extra jokes built in, but the applause was so large, Moranis gave up and moved on with the panel. Once on stage, the applause continued, eventually turning into a chant of “Rick, Rick, Rick,” as well as the “We’re not worthy” moment in the above photo.
When asked later what he thought of the response, Moranis told Esquire, “I don’t know what planet I’m on.” It’s Earth, Rick. And we are so glad you are back bringing us funny movies.
For more on what went on behind the scenes of the Spaceballs Comic-Con panel, head over to Esquire. The film opens April 23, 2027.
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