In addition to the aforementioned films, Moranis was featured in some of the biggest movies of the 80s like Honey I Shrunk the Kids, Parenthood, and Little Shop of Horrors. Though it doesn’t seem like he’ll be returning to film anytime soon, I still hold out hope that he’ll once again rise like a phoenix and bring Dark Helmet back to the big screen.
Hit the break to check out an excerpt of the interview with Heeb Magazine’s Brian Abrams.
RM: I haven’t been in touch with anyone I’ve worked with for over 20 years.
BA: The scripts that have been thrown your way over the years. More times than not, they’re hitting you up for sequels and threequels?
RM: Not anymore. I think the sequels exhausted themselves from the old franchises. So I hadn’t heard any of that stuff for many years now.
BA:Spaceballs II: The Search for More Money was a conversation?
RM: Mel wanted to do a sequel after it became a cult video hit. It wasn’t a box office hit. It was a cult video hit, and MGM wanted to do a sequel. And my idea for it was Spaceballs III: The Search for Spaceballs II. And I was unable to make a deal with Mel. I couldn’t make a deal.
BA: In terms of just getting enough money?
RM: I wasn’t privy to what the budget was or anything, but the deal he presented me, what he wanted me to do, was not workable. It was two or three years later. He wanted me to … it’s better if I don’t get into the particulars of it. Because it is so specific, it’s counter-productive to talk about it. But I was unable to make a deal, and it would have been something I would have wanted to do. But that ship has sailed. Then, there’s the perennial talk of another Ghostbusters, but that’s all talk and speculation.
BA: Have you been approached about it?
RM: I got a call three or four years ago from an associate of Aykroyd’s. Some sort of producer. And he said, “Listen, I gotta ask you something, because the Internet says you’re retired”—which is one of my favorites, by the way.
BA: When the Internet says you’re retired?
RM: I just love when the Internet is wrong. It’s the only thing that will save journalism. So he says, “I gotta ask, would you do it?” I said, “I don’t say no to anything until everything is presented to me.” What is it? Is it happening? Is there a script? What’s the part? Who else is in it? Where is it? How long is it gonna take? You know, I need a little bit more information. “But it’s something you would do?” he asks. Do I have to answer that?
BA: He needs that confirmation, so he can go back to people and make his deal.
RM: Yeah. That’s called “producing.” I got this, and I got this. Gimme some money.
Thanks to Slashfilm for bringing this interview to our attention and be sure to head over to Heeb Magazine to read the full interview.
