Kevin Smith, Josh Greenbaum, Josh Gad, Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez speak at the “Spaceballs” The Comic-Con Hall H panel during 2026 Comic-Con International: San Diego at San Diego Convention Center on July 24, 2026 in San Diego, California
On Friday, July 24, Amazon MGM Studios skipped ludicrous speed and went straight to plaid in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con as the cast and filmmakers of SPACEBALLS: THE NEW ONE sat down for a galactic panel. Following a heartfelt and hilarious video message from the legendary Mel Brooks, moderator Kevin Smith welcomed stars Daphne Zuniga, Keke Palmer, Lewis Pullman, Josh Gad, director Josh Greenbaum, and screenwriters Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit to the stage.
As the crew arrived on stage, Spaceballs Troopers combed the audience looking for Dark Helmet impersonators only to uncover Dark Helmet himself, Rick Moranis, hiding amongst the fans. Moranis then joined the group onstage to thunderous applause and a standing ovation to mark his return to the galaxy.
During the panel, filmmakers Josh Gad and Josh Greenbaum reminisced about pitching the sequel to Mel Brooks, while Daphne Zuniga and Rick Moranis reflected on returning to their iconic characters and reuniting with Brooks for the first time in decades. Keke Palmer shared what it was like stepping into the iconic SPACEBALLS universe, and Lewis Pullman reflected on joining the franchise that launched his father Bill Pullman’s career. While Lone Star couldn’t be at the panel in-person, he was there in spirit – treating Hall H to a special video message.
Gad also paid homage to one of his personal idols, John Candy, who he described as the heart and soul of the original film.
As your father’s brothers’ nephew’s cousin’s former roommate Mel Brooks would put it, the Hall H crowd proved that the Schwartz is still very much with us.