Rick Moranis Explained Why He Won't Be in the Ghostbusters Reboot and Fans Burst Out of the Woodwork to Share Feelings

Twitter erupted with mixed reactions after the comedic actor, who hasn't played a live-action role since 1997, talked about not-quite-retiring from showbiz

By Natalie Finn Oct 07, 2015 8:16 PMTags
Rick Moranis, GhostbustersColumbia Pictures

Memo to Rick Moranis: If you make it, they will come.

The 62-year-old actor, who starred in the original Ghostbusters and its 1989 sequel (as well as in many other family mega-favorites), gave a super-classy answer as to why he has no interest in making an appearance in Paul Feig's reboot starring all ladies as the busters in question, and Twitter immediately came alive with the sounds of Moranis fans' mixed reactions—some applause, some tears, some tearful applause.

"I hope it's terrific," he told The Hollywood Reporter in a new interview. "But it just makes no sense to me. Why would I do just one day of shooting on something I did 30 years ago?"

The Canadian-born entertainer, who got his start on SCTV, explained that he didn't step away from showbiz (he's done some voice work and animation but hasn't played a live-action role since 1997) for any showbiz-related reason, but rather he chose to focus on his two kids after his wife passed away from breast cancer.

"People are very nice when they see me," Moranis added. "They ask me, 'How come they don't make movies like they used to?' We were governed by a certain kind of taste at that time, and there were places we wouldn't go with language and bodily fluids and functions. I think that's what they're nostalgic for."

And when Feig came calling to see if the Keymaster wanted to join the 21st-century Ghostbusters fun, he didn't feel right saying, "Yes, have some."

"It's hard to come up with original material," Moranis concluded. "Occasionally, they get it right or else they wouldn't attempt to do these things. I'm surprised that Disney hasn't done Honey, I Shrunk the Grandkids. But I'm happy with the things I said yes to, and I'm very happy with the many things I've said no to. Yes, I am picky, and I'll continue to be picky. Picky has worked for me."

Well! Cue the adoration—and yes, some disappointment—from the twitterverse, with Moranis fans popping out of the woodwork at a rapid clip. Sounds as though if he should like to put in some face-time on camera one of these days, plenty of folks would welcome him back to the spotlight with open arms. Here's a sampling of the mad appreciation:

And when he noted to THR that the only reason his Wikipedia page said that he was "largely retired" was due to him having no idea how to update it himself, of course someone stepped in to remedy that immediately.