USA Today is reporting that mostly-retired-actor Rick Moranis (Ghostbusters, Honey I shrunk the Kids) will reprise his role of Darth Helmet in an upcoming Season 5 episode of ABC’s The Goldbergs. He’ll reprise the Darth Vader parody from Mel Brooks’ 1987 Star Wars satire Spaceballs in a voice-only role, which series creator Adam F. Goldberg spent weeks trying to secure.
“I truly think Rick Moranis gave the most underrated and brilliant comedic performance in any ‘80s movie as Dark Helmet,” Goldberg said in a statement. “I’ve been a lifelong fan of his work and became obsessed with having him reprise the role on my show. As an added bonus, maybe this even gets ‘Spaceballs’ back in the conversation, and I can get my dream of helping make a sequel!”
Launched in 2013 and based on Goldberg’s childhood, The Goldbergs stars Wendi McLendon-Covey, Jeff Garlin, Sean Giambrone, Troy Gentile, Hayley Orrantia, George Segal, AJ Michalka and Sam Lerner, with narration by Patton Oswalt.
Moranis will reprise the role in Adam’s (Sean Giambrone) dreams as he “encounters Dark Helmet storming his bedroom to battle with the Schwartz.” The episode is set to air tomorrow night in the May 9 episode at 8pm ET/PT.