Yes, Rick Moranis Is Coming Out of Retirement

I’m about to share a moment with you that I am not very proud of. Almost ten years ago, my wife and I were riding the C train from 168th Street into midtown Manhattan as we often did. I don’t remember the reason or occasion, but what I do remember is that somewhere around 86th street, my wife started hitting me and saying, “Andrew. Andrew. Look.” I did look. What I saw was someone I had grown up watching sitting across from me, and I did the most embarrassing thing possible: I tried to take a picture.

I know! It was bad! The picture was bad because I was trying to be sneaky about it, so it just looks like a blur. The person clearly knew what I was doing because they looked directly at me, while the person they were sitting with looked annoyed with the whole endeavor. As she should have been! Some dweeb in glasses was trying to take a picture of (I assume) her Dad in the least subtle way possible on a somewhat crowded train.

There he is! Rick Moranis in all of his blurry glory. I swear it’s him. You can’t see the smirk, as I had to crop it a little bit, but it is Lewis Tully himself. One of Hollywood’s most beloved comedic actors, who left the business to raise his children after the tragic passing of his wife. He walked away from his career to focus on his children, one of the most noble things possible, and here was some schmuck getting into his business.

I was in my 20s, but it’s still no excuse. There was also a thought in my mind that I would never see Moranis again, so this was my chance. If only I could go back in time and tell my nosey younger self that the actor would one day return to the silver screen to reprise one of my favorite performances of his, so I could let him peacefully ride the subway.

Yes, Rick Moranis will be one of many stars returning in Spaceballs 2. While people like Bill Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, George Wyner, and Mel Brooks will be returning as well, they will be joined by franchise newcomers Lewis Pullman, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer, and Anthony Carrigan. That sounds like a pretty hilarious cast, and I might be most excited for Carrigan, who, I assume, will be playing a dreaded Spaceball.

First cast photo for ‘SPACEBALLS 2’

Starring Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman, Lewis Pullman, Daphne Zuniga, George Wyner, Mel Brooks, Josh Gad, Keke Palmer and Anthony Carrigan.

In theaters in 2027.

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— DiscussingFilm (@discussingfilm.net) September 25, 2025 at 10:09 AM

Moranis hasn’t completely disappeared over the years, as he has lent his voice to a number of projects, as well as making sporadic live appearances. However, this will be one of the biggest projects he’s been a part of in years, and it’s the second time he’s been coaxed out of retirement by Josh Gad. Gad, who is one of the co-writers of Spaceballs 2, was also set to make a Honey, I Shrunk The Kids reboot that Moranis was set to return for, though that never materialized.

Spaceballs is one of my favorite comfort films, so it’s impossible for me not to be excited about this, even if the last sequel to a Mel Brooks property produced disappointing results. But I have hope. Moranis wouldn’t be doing this for no reason. He’s passed up other opportunities to return to beloved properties he’s been a part of, like Ghostbusters, presumably so losers like me will give him a moment’s peace. Now, he’s back, and I promise to leave him alone.