WARNING! This article contains SPOILERS for That '90s Show part 3!

Summary

• Eric is absent from That '90s Show part 3 due to a job in San Francisco with George Lucas.
• The reason for Eric's absence is linked to his Star Wars obsession and career development.
• Topher Grace's return to the show in future seasons is unlikely due to Eric's relocation to San Francisco.

Topher Grace’s Eric Forman is still absent from cameos as Eric Forman in That ‘90s Show’s series premiere, he hasn’t returned despite the fact that his teenage daughter is the sequel’s lead character. Laura Prepon’s Donna Pinciotti occasionally stops into Point Place to visit Leia and her dad, Bob, from Chicago, but Eric hasn’t appeared since dropping off Leia to stay with his parents in the pilot episode.

There was hope that Eric would help drop Leia off for her second summer in Point Place, Topher Grace didn’t return for That ‘90s Show part 2. Rather, Donna explained that Eric got “carsick” and couldn’t make it, though she implies that he just had no interest in coming back to Point Place. While Laura Prepon makes a few cameos as Donna in That ‘90s Show part 3, she once again isn’t ed by Topher Grace. However, the reason she gives for Eric not ing her in the latest set of episodes makes up for his absence.

Eric Is In Chicago & San Francisco During That '90s Show Part 3

Eric Is Now Working With George Lucas To Cover The "New" Star Wars Movies In California

For the most part, Eric is still back in Chicago during That ‘90s Show part 3. He’s likely busy with work or another busy camp like in That ‘90s Show part 1, but largely remains at the Formans’ home throughout That ‘90s Show part 3’s timeline. However, shortly before That ‘90s Show part 3’s ending, Donna returns to Point Place and reveals some shocking news. Eric has gone to San Francisco, attaining his dream job of shadowing George Lucas as he makes the Star Wars prequel movies at the Skywalker Ranch.

Eric, Fez, Kelso, and Hyde go see the 1977 Star Wars movie for the first time in That '70s Show season 1, episode 20, "A New Hope."

Eric’s obsession with Star Wars began in That ‘70s Show season 1, as the series’ 1977 timeline overlapped with the release of George Lucas’ original movie in the franchise, and only grew as the sitcom progressed. Eric naming Leia after Carrie Fisher’s Star Wars character brought back this running gag for That ‘90s Show, with Donna’s latest reveal confirming that Eric’s obsession has turned into a career. In That ‘90s Show part 3, Donna reveals that Eric is officially moving to San Francisco full-time, while she’ll split time between him and Leia in Point Place.

Eric's New Job Is Bad News For Topher Grace's That '90s Show Part 4 Return

Sending Eric To San Francisco Makes A Visit To Point Place Much Harder

Eric being in San Francisco is a clever way for That ‘90s Show to pay off the obsession that he was often teased about as a teenager, but it doesn’t bode well for Topher Grace reprising his role in the future. When Eric was in Chicago, there was always the chance that he could pop into Point Place to visit the other Forman family , just like Donna has done so frequently. However, moving him to San Francisco seems to be That ‘90s Show’s way of telling viewers to not get their hopes up for Grace to cameo in the sitcom again.

Considering Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace doesn’t release until 1999, he’ll likely be in San Francisco until the end of That ‘90s Show's run.

While Topher Grace could still eventually reprise his role in That ‘90s Show, it’s unlikely to happen anytime soon. Considering Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace doesn’t release until 1999, he’ll likely be in San Francisco until the end of That ‘90s Show's run. Sadly, this seems to count out an appearance by Grace as Eric Forman in That ‘90s Show part 4, even though there’s always a sliver of hope for a return.