Mel Brooks appeared at San Diego Comic-Con for the first time at 100 years old - albeit only virtually. Brooks, who celebrated his 100th birthday on June 28, appeared in a video at the presentation of "Spaceballs: The New One", according to "People". Actors Josh Gad (45), Rick Moranis (73), Lewis Pullman (33), Daphne Zuniga (63), and Keke Palmer (32) spoke on-site about the sequel to Brooks' 1987 "Star Wars" parody.
The presentation of "Spaceballs: The New One" at San Diego Comic-Con reportedly began with the video featuring Brooks. He apparently cracked jokes about not being able to attend in person. "I've done a lot of things in my career, but I've never been to Comic-Con. Maybe it's because they don't pay", he joked.
"I don't understand half of it"
During the subsequent panel discussion, Gad, Moranis, and the other cast members of the new film apparently spoke with humor and reverence about working with Brooks on the new project. "I don't know where I got the courage, but I called Mel Brooks and his production partner Kevin Salter, who's sitting here in the audience, and gave them an extremely intense 40-minute pitch for this film while he just listened silently", Gad told "People".
"That was in 2022. At the end, he said: 'Josh, it sounds like you really have your finger on the pulse. I don't understand half of what you're talking about, but I really like it.' I mentioned 'The Force Awakens' and Kylo Ren, and he said: 'What the heck is all that?'"
Stars return to their roles
The original "Spaceballs" film was a parody of the original "Star Wars" trilogy as well as other popular science fiction films from the late 20th century. Gad first announced in 2024 that he was working on a sequel with Brooks. In June 2025, Amazon MGM Studios announced that Brooks would reprise his role as "Yogurt", the parody of the "Star Wars" character Yoda. Brooks also played the character "President Skroob" in the original film.
Moranis, who was also making his Comic-Con debut according to "The Hollywood Reporter", will once again slip into the role of "Dark Helmet", a parody of Darth Vader. Bill Pullman, who played "Lone Starr" in the original film, will also reprise his role, as will Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa.
In April, Brooks already appeared in a video about the new film that was shared on social media. In it, he explained that everywhere he goes, people say: "Mel! Mel! When are you making the new 'Spaceballs'? When is the new movie coming?" Now they've made it, he added: "And the title is: 'Spaceballs: The New One'. It's just like the old one, only newer. That's why it's called 'The New One.'" The film, directed by Josh Greenbaum, is scheduled to premiere in April 2027.
