Rick Moranis jokes he never ‘retired’ in rare Comic-Con appearance

Actor Rick Moranis made a rare public appearance at San Diego Comic-Con this past Friday, joining his castmates for a panel regarding the upcoming film Spaceballs: The New One. During the session, he addressed his decades-long absence from Hollywood with his signature wit, telling the audience he was not retired, but merely negotiating. The actor received a warm standing ovation from fans who chanted his name as he took the stage.

Moranis explained that he decided to sign onto the sequel project after learning about the production and the other actors involved. He expressed that the timing felt correct for his return to the screen. The new film, which is scheduled to debut in April 2027, features original cast members such as Mel Brooks and Daphne Zuniga alongside newcomers including Keke Palmer and Josh Gad.

His return to the spotlight comes nearly thirty years after he stepped back from his film career in 1997. Following the death of his wife, Ann Belsky, in 1991, Moranis chose to prioritize raising his two children. While he provided voice work for some projects in the mid-2000s, he remained mostly away from major film sets for a significant period.

Fans at the event were vocal in their support, with many quoting lines from the original 1987 film during the Q&A portion of the panel. Moranis wore his original costume helmet during the appearance, delighting those in attendance. The actor has noted in previous interviews that he holds no regrets regarding his career break, stating that he finds his life to be wonderful.