In a recent update regarding the hit series That ’90s Show, it appears that Topher Grace, who portrayed Eric Forman in That ‘70s Show, may not be making a return to the Formans’ basement in the foreseeable future.
Grace’s character made a notable appearance during the show’s premiere in January 2023, where Eric Forman was seen dropping off his daughter Leia (played by Callie Haverda) at his parents’ home in Point Place, Wisconsin, for the summer of 1996. At that time, Eric was depicted as an adjunct professor in Chicago, specializing in a course on the religion of Star Wars. According to Donna (Laura Prepon), Eric had been presented with an extraordinary career opportunity.
In the seventh episode of Part 3, Donna reveals to Leia, Red (Kurtwood Smith), and Kitty (Debra Jo Rupp) that Eric has been offered a significant role at Skywalker Ranch, where he will shadow George Lucas and author a book about the making of the new Star Wars films. Donna explains, “He got the call, packed his bag, and said goodbye to me in Wookiee.”
Donna’s plan to juggle between Chicago, California, and Point Place raises doubts about Grace’s return. Given Grace’s age of 46 and the logistical challenges, it seems unlikely that he will reprise his role on the new series soon.
Grace made a brief return alongside original cast members Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher during the series’ premiere, but they have not reappeared since. Additionally, Wilmer Valderrama, who returned as Fez for the first season, has not been seen in subsequent episodes. Valderrama, 44, revealed to PEOPLE in June that his demanding schedule on NCIS has made it difficult to return, emphasizing the busy schedules of the new cast members as well.
In an April interview with Entertainment Tonight, Kunis, 41, confirmed that neither she nor Kutcher would be returning to the series. “We did our thing, and I think they introduced the son right, like it was our son in the show and that was, you know, [enough],” Kunis said.
Showrunner Gregg Mettler addressed the issue in early July following the release of Part 2, acknowledging the challenges of coordinating schedules. “We always hope to have everybody back,” Mettler told TVLine. “When you get down to the nitty-gritty of it all, it’s about scheduling. I will be grateful for the rest of eternity for the contributions of the legacy cast members from That ’70s Show in Part 1. Their return was a blessing, and they handed the show off in a delightful way.”
Mettler concluded by focusing on the new characters and how they are integrated with the legacy cast, noting that this approach has proven successful for the series.