The totally valid reason why this original ‘Ghostbusters’ star decided not to do the reboot
Everyone has a favorite original Ghostbusters character – the most popular probably being Bill Murray as Peter Venkman. Luckily for fans of Murray, he will be returning in the woman-powered reboot (though in an unspecified role and not as Venkman), along with the likes of such original Ghostbusters faces as Dan Aykroyd, Annie Potts, and Sigourney Weaver. I know I speak for everyone when I say can next summer come faster, please!?
Anyway, my favorite original Ghostbusters character was Louis Tully, played by the always-charming Rick Moranis. To be fair, Moranis has always played my favorite character in anything he’s ever been in. He perfected the nerdy-yet-approachable, humble-yet-confident demeanor in every on-screen role he has done to date, and I (along with so many others) have missed him on our movies screens since he stopped acting in 1997 – when he tragically lost his wife, Ann, to breast cancer. Since then, has been focused on raising his two children, who are now grown.
And according to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he was offered a spot in the upcoming Ghostbusters reboot but doesn’t really have much interest, although he has only kind words to say about the projects and those involved.
“I wish them well. I hope it’s terrific,” Moranis said. “But it just makes no sense to me. Why would I do just one day of shooting on something I did 30 years ago?”
That opinion makes total sense to us. As much of a bummer as this is on the surface, it’s super understandable and respectable – and for Moranis to decide, as it’s his life and career. He seems like a super awesome dad, actually, and is giving us all the parenting goals.
Moranis, now 62 and living in an apartment in Manhattan’s Upper West Side, has done primarily voice roles and writing projects over the last 18 years. But there’s still good news for us fans of his acting work: Just because he isn’t joining the Ghostbusters reboot doesn’t mean he has necessarily retired from acting forever – even if his Wikipedia page implies otherwise.
“I took a break, which turned into a longer break,” he told THR. “I still get the occasional query about a film or television role, and as soon as one comes along that piques my interest, I’ll probably do it…[being] picky has worked for me.”
Fingers crossed. We can only hope to see more of Rick Moranis, and wish him well in whatever path he decides to take, career-related or otherwise. Even if he never acts again, we will always have Seymour Krelborn, Lord Dark Helmet, Wayne Szalinski – and, of course, Louis Tully.
(Image via Columbia Pictures)
Related:
The first official Ghostbusters cast photo is here
The awesome reason Bill Murray’s back for the new Ghostbusters
