Mel Brooks, 100, Filmed Spaceballs Sequel Scenes First

WHO:

Fox News - Mel Brooks, 100, co-writer and producer of the original “Spaceballs,” worked with writers on the sequel and filmed his part before the rest of the shoot.

Fox News - Daphne Zuniga, who plays Princess Vespa, said Brooks requested that the team film his scenes first.

Fox News - The sequel features returning cast members Rick Moranis as Lord Dark Helmet and Bill Pullman as Princess Vespa’s husband; Lewis Pullman, Bill Pullman’s real-life son, plays their son, the prince. Keke Palmer is also in the film.

Fox News - Rick Moranis said reuniting with Zuniga, Pullman, George Wyner, Earl Sanders, and younger actors felt like “a time warp.”

NY Post - Mel Brooks is 100.

WHAT:

Fox News - The sequel is titled “Spaceballs: The New One.” Zuniga said Brooks had already filmed his part before the rest of the production shot.

Fox News - Zuniga said the sequel “opens April 23rd of next year.”

NY Post - The movie is set to be released in theaters on “April 23, 2027.”

Fox News - The original “Spaceballs” premiered in 1987. Its story follows Lone Starr (Bill Pullman) and Barf (John Candy) attempting to rescue Princess Vespa (Daphne Zuniga) from Dark Helmet (Rick Moranis) and President Skroob (Mel Brooks).

Fox News - The original film parodies “Star Wars” and also makes fun of “Star Trek,” “Alien,” and other science-fiction works.

Fox News - Brooks said Moranis’s antics caused the crew to laugh and ruin multiple takes, costing Brooks money. Brooks recalled Moranis’s entrance in a giant helmet and his line, “I can’t breathe in this thing.”

WHERE:

Fox News - Zuniga discussed the sequel during a “Melrose Place” 90s Con panel; Moranis discussed returning to the role during a San Diego Comic-Con panel.

WHEN:

Fox News - The original “Spaceballs” premiered in 1987; Brooks was 60 at the time, according to the article.

NY Post - The sequel is scheduled for theatrical release on “April 23, 2027.”

WHY:

Fox News - Zuniga said Brooks wanted his scenes filmed first because he was 100: “You better film me now because I’m 100.”

HOW:

Fox News - The production accommodated Brooks’s request by filming his part before shooting the rest of the movie.

(UPDATED October 21, 2026 00:35 UTC)

Mel Brooks, now 100, filmed his scenes for the “Spaceballs” sequel before the rest of production, after asking the team to shoot him first because, as Daphne Zuniga recalled, “You better film me now because I’m 100.” Titled “Spaceballs: The New One,” the film brings back Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and Bill Pullman, with Lewis Pullman playing their son; Keke Palmer also joins the cast. The sequel is scheduled to hit theaters on April 23, 2027, and Moranis said reuniting with returning castmates and younger actors felt like “a time warp.”