Although his cameo in Ghostbusters II didn’t make it in the final film, Eugene Levy’s role as Sherman Tully would become canon in the Ghostbusters multiverse instead. Having played a small but important role in assisting the Ghostbusters, Levy’s Sherman Tully didn’t get a ride in the Ecto-1 nor end up in the sequel to 1984’s Ghostbusters. However, in the IDW Ghostbusters comic, a series full of cameos and Easter Eggs, the return of Louis Tully to New York during another massive supernatural event has him get picked up by his cousin who’s likeness to Levy is unmistakable.
In Ghostbusters II, the paranormal investigators return during another rise of supernatural activity caused by the machinations of Vigo the Carpathian, a powerful yet undead Moldavian despot and sorcerer. As the Ghostbusters close in on Vigo’s plans, their attempt to alert the authorities get them committed to Parkview Psychiatric Hospital. Aware that Dana Barrett’s baby Oscar had been kidnapped by Vigo’s subordinates and Dana had disappeared searching for him, Louis implored his cousin Sherman who worked at Parkview to help free the Ghostbusters. Despite having some reservations, the dermatologist was able to pull some strings and get them released in exchange for a ride in the Ghostbusters Ecto-1. Unfortunately, the Ghostbusters leave both him and Louis behind, the latter helping substantiate the idea that he’s one of the Ghostbusters by saying he only gets involved with the big stuff.
Although Levy’s cameo was cut in lieu of a scene that saw the Mayor learn of the Ghostbusters incarceration and order their release, Sherman Tully would make a return in the Ghostbusters “Mass Hysteria” story arc. In the story by Erik Burnham and Dan Schoening, a surge in supernatural activity and events in New York suggest that the primordial god Tiamat is in town. The Ghostbusters learn the Babylonian god of destruction was also Gozer’s sibling whom he had an intense rivalry with, Tiamat revealing her intent to possess everything her brother had. Having set her sights on the previous Gatekeeper, Tiamat used her powers to bring the former Keymaster Louis Tully back to New York as well. Having arrived from Florida, the exhausted Louis is picked up by his talkative cousin Sherman who badgers him with questions about financial paperwork and the reason for his return to New York following the events of Ghostbusters II, the conversation stopped by the skies suddenly raining blood.
While Levy’s cameo would have been another great addition in his impressive career, the scene was likely cut due to pacing issues and possibly being unnecessary to introduce a new character so late in the film. The Ghostbusters release from Parkview would immediately put them in the trajectory for a final confrontation with Vigo and anything else, despite how hilarious or well-acted, would have just clogged up the film’s flow. While the scene was part of a failed Kickstarter to get a Directors Cut of Ghostbusters II, the IDW Ghostbusters comic can’t resist paying tribute to Levy and his career. The car that Sherman picks Louis up in is identical to the car sold to Clark Griswold in National Lampoon’s Vacation, one sold by a salesman played by Levy and its impossible to read the scenes and not hear his iconic voice talking to his cousin, portrayed by fellow SCTV alum Rick Moranis.
With the Ghostbusters embracing the concept of the multiverse, it allows grandiose possibilities for not only other versions of the franchise to appear but also for other cameos or tributes to appear organically. While Eugene Levy‘s career would discover new heights beyond this, its nice to see fans consider him and his character a part of the Ghostbusters world and along for the ride, should the story call for it.
