Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire featured the return of several original stars, like Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, and Ernie Hudson. However, one fan-favorite character was absent in both Frozen Empire and its predecessor, 2021's Ghostbusters: Afterlife: Louis Tully, played by Rick Moranis.

Speaking with Screen Rant, Hudson opened up about Moranis' decision not to return as the Ghostbusters' account in the two legacy sequels. "Yeah, because Rick is such an important part of the success of all of this. I think everybody understands that and agrees with that. I don't know why. I haven't had a personal conversation," the actor said. "I talked to Ivan Reitman before he transitioned, who I know had spent a lot of time trying to convince Rick. I know that the other guys have talked to him, and I'm not sure why. He just said no."

Hudson also shared that Sony offered Moranis "more money than they offered me" to appear in Frozen Empire. He continued, "And if I thought going to his house would make a difference, I'd be there. Because I'd love to see [him]. And not just in Ghostbusters, but I just think he's an amazing talent. I would love to see him working, but obviously, it was a personal choice. [Maybe] if they did a country western album or something, but I don't know. I'd love to see him back if there was any possible way, you know?"

Why Did Rick Moranis Quit Acting?

Moranis was a popular comedian and actor in the 1980s and 1990s who was primarily known for his roles in the sketch comedy series SCTV as well as the films Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, Spaceballs, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Parenthood, and The Flintstones. Following his wife's death in 1991, Moranis began to take on fewer acting roles. In 1997, the actor announced his intention to cease acting for the time being so that he could spend more time raising his two children. Aside from the odd voice role, Moranis has not acted regularly since the late 1990s. However, he is supposedly set to make his return to live-action acting in Shrunk, a legacy sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, which was announced in 2020.

What's Next for the Ghostbusters?

While another movie in the Ghostbusters franchise hasn't been officially announced yet, Frozen Empire director Kil Genan previously shared that he and Jason Reitman know where to take the series next. "Jason and I definitely have a story up our sleeves that continues that narrative thread," Kenan said in March 2024. "There's more trouble where that came from. Nothing we can talk about yet, but it feels like those guys have way more story to tell. I love those guys; they’re so fun to direct. [They’re] primadonnas. Their rider is impossible, but it’s worth it for what they do onscreen." The franchise is also set to return to the small screen, with a new animated Ghostbusters series in production at Netflix.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is available to rent or buy on digital platforms.

Source: Screen Rant