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Lord Dark Helmet is so<\/em> back!<\/p>\n During a panel for the upcoming sequel to the 1987 \u201cStar Wars\u201d parody film \u201cSpaceballs\u201d at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, Rick Moranis, who played the hilarious spoof on Darth Vader, made a special appearance.<\/p>\n The 73-year-old, who is reprising his role for the sequel, donned his iconic enormous helmet from the original film and walked through the packed house at Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center.<\/p>\n The crowd couldn\u2019t help but give Moranis, who stepped back from appearing in films almost three decades ago, a standing ovation.<\/p>\n The sequel, entitled \u201cSpaceballs: The New One,\u201d <\/a>is slated to hit theaters on April 23, 2027. The project was championed by several comedians and actors including Josh Gad. It will feature some familiar faces, like the original film\u2019s director Mel Brooks, who is not only a producer on the sequel but also reprising his role as the beloved Yoda parody character Yogurt.<\/p>\n Moranis\u2019 entrance was certainly a theatrical one. The actor did not begin the event with the rest of the panel.<\/a> Rather, he surprised the crowd by popping up in the audience after being hidden under the helmet. The crowd, understandably, went wild.<\/p>\n Moranis, who then joined the panel, told fans about his decision to reenter the industry with the upcoming film.<\/p>\n \u201cIt just felt like this is it. It\u2019s time,\u201d he told the crowd. \u201cI said yes, and it is the best decision I\u2019ve ever made.\u201d<\/p>\n The actor, whose reprisal of the beloved villain role was announced last year, also joked that he had never really left. <\/a>He said that he had discussed the idea of a sequel way back in 1989.<\/p>\n \u201cI wasn\u2019t really retired,\u201d he joked<\/a>. \u201cI was just negotiating.\u201d<\/p>\n The panel was filled with several other noteworthy moments, including a parody of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the universe of Marvel superhero films that are typically released in \u201cphases.\u201d<\/p>\n For this event, the panel unveiled the \u201cSpaceballs Cinematic Universe.\u201d The MCU spoof included upwards of 11 phases including \u201cThe Almighty Schwartz Saga.\u201d (IYKYK!)<\/p>\n Though Mel Brooks, who recently turned 100<\/a>, did not attend the event, he sent along a hilarious video message.<\/p>\n \u201cSorry I can\u2019t be with you. I\u2019m on the convention floor trying to buy a rare Charizard card. When I was your age, on a Friday, I would go to something called \u2018work,\u2019\u201d he said in the video,<\/a> according to Deadline. \u201cFrom the bottom of my heart I want to say, thank you, nerds.\u201d <\/p>\n<\/div>\n