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COLUMN: Unretire Rick Moranis
9/8/10
If Bill Murray is the lead-off batter, then the clean-up crew of the Ghostbusters team is undeniably Rick Moranis. The only member of the South City Television troop to not come from either of their stage troupes during his time there, he honed his improv and comedic timing, solidifying Bob & Doug McKenzie as cultural icons. ("Eh?")
On his way to landing classic roles in Spaceballs, Honey I Shrunk The Kids, and 
Little Shop of Horrors (a personal favorite that showed off Moranis's vocal chops that he'd put to use years later in his Grammy nominated comedic country albums), he picked up the gig of Louis Tully after having worked with Harold Ramis on SCTV. Stepping in to the role after fellow SCTVer John Candy left due to many of his suggestions being a little too off-the-cuff for what was already a high concept movie, Moranis got to bring his improv game to the table and rewrite a lot of the role. His subtle touches on the role shine every time he comes around, with his minute long improv with his party guests being the high mark of his quiet talent.
In the sequel, he continued the trend of getting some of the best comic moments and punch lines in during his scenes, stealing the court room scene that set up the first ghostbusting encounter of the film. He even got to throw on a suit and get his hands dirty a bit, which was an easy way of setting up for selling a new Ghostbuster action figure. But still, cheap marketing aside, Rick Moranis was at the top of his game, with Ghostbusters II and Honey I Shrunk The Kids coming out a mere week apart, cementing his reputation as a reliable comedic actor further.
From there, the family-relatand and kid friendly flicks kept coming. Parenthood was the last of the 80's comedies he did that pushed the boundaries a bit, following it up with safe picks like Honey I Blew Up The Kid, Little Giants, The Flintstones, Big Bully, Honey We Shrunk Ourselves; maybe not the greatest of films but a line-up that still brings some entertainment whenever any of them are thrown in. But during this string of family fair, Rick Moranis wasn't necesarily getting the freedom of input that he had gotten on some of his most successful roles. Between that and taking care of his children following the death of his wife, Moranis took a break that he hasn't yet broken besides doing the Brother Bear movies for Disney.
He was one of only two people to decline doing voice-overs for the Ghostbusters video game, with Sigourney Weaver being the other hold out (she later admitted to regretting the choice). Recent rumors on possible movement on the GB3 front also suggest he's open to a return. And really, what would Ghostbusters be without the little guy who went from being evil pawn to a member of the team?
If they're trying to tie it in with the other two by bringing back little Oscar, they no doubt would have to address the involvement of Louis in aftermath of Ghostbusters II. Did he get to help out on any more busts? Did ghostly activity drop off again like the downtime between 1 & 2? Did he ever call Janine back after their little bit of New Years nookie??
Even if Rick Moranis is committed to staying retired from acting, it would at least be quite the site to see him go out in glory, not some direct to video Disney flick. And even if he is still just the nerdy accountant crunching a few numbers at Ghostbusters headquarters, it'd be a Rocky-style underdog story for Louis Tully to make it to the end of the Ghostbusters franchise with the other main players.
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