EW previously broke the news that OG Hocus Pocus stars Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw, and Thora Birch would not reprise their roles alongside Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Doug Jones in Hocus Pocus 2, though the sequel seamlessly resurrects their characters — Max, Allison, and Dani — for a brief, key ...

Are any of the original characters in Hocus Pocus 2?

Sean Murray understands why many original stars didn't return for Hocus Pocus 2. Released on Disney+ in September 2022, the sequel to 1993's Hocus Pocus features the return of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, who reprise their roles as the Sanderson Sisters.

Who plays the witches in Hocus Pocus 2?

Though the sequel film bids an emotional adieu to Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy's beloved characters, it establishes a new coven to potentially carry the series forward — this time played by "good" witches Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) — if the ...

Is Dani from Hocus Pocus the witch in Hocus Pocus 2?

But original stars Max Dennison, Dani Dennison, and Allison aren't featured in the sequel. In case you forget, Max is the virgin who lit the Black Flame Candle three decades ago, resurrecting the Sanderson witches.

What happened to Max and Allison in Hocus Pocus?

In the novel Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel, which is set 25 years after the events of the first film, Max and Allison are revealed to have married and had a daughter named Poppy.

'Hocus Pocus 2' stars talk about reprising iconic witches | Nightline

Why were none of the original actors in Hocus Pocus 2?

'Hocus Pocus' stars open up about why they aren't in sequel: 'It just didn't work' The Sanderson sisters were brought back to life in “Hocus Pocus 2,” but the children's franchise couldn't strike the right alchemy for some of its original cast members.

Why wasn't Max Dennison in Hocus Pocus 2?

Fletcher (via EW) explained that bringing back Max and Allison would have made it hard for Hocus Pocus 2 to stay on track while exploring so many new figures and storylines, with quick cameos also being decided against.

Do Max and Allison appear in Hocus Pocus 2?

While the Sanderson Sisters are at the heart of Hocus Pocus, the first movie also relied on central characters Max, Dani, and Allison. Unfortunately, the trio did not return in Hocus Pocus 2 after the sequel went in a different direction.

Are Max and Allison in Hocus Pocus two?

Original Hocus Pocus stars Omri Katz and Vinessa Shaw weren't in Hocus Pocus 2, but screenwriter Jen D'Angelo is confident their characters are living happy lives free from the grasp of the Sanderson Sisters.

Why didn t Dani come back for Hocus Pocus 2?

Birch was asked to reprise the role of Dani in grown-up form, but scheduling conflicts prevented the actress from appearing in the Disney+ sequel, EW has confirmed.

Will there be a hocus pocus 3?

Disney boss Sean Bailey confirmed that Hocus Pocus 3 was in the works in June 2023, following the long-awaited sequel being a hit on the streaming service. Hocus Pocus 2's director, Anne Fletcher, is returning for the new movie, according to TheWrap.

Are the witches in Hocus Pocus 2 the same actresses?

The film stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Doug Jones reprising their roles, with Sam Richardson, Whitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo, Tony Hale, and Hannah Waddingham joining the cast in new roles.

How did the witches come back in Hocus Pocus 2?

Hocus Pocus 2 Adds a New Level of Trickery

This is because Gilbert, the owner of the magic shop that used to be the original Sanderson cottage, tricks the girls into resurrecting the witches by selling them a real one. Back in 1993, Gilbert witnessed the three witches as a child and had wanted to meet them ever since.

How is binx in Hocus Pocus 2?

Binx doesn't return for the sequel because it doesn't make sense for his character to return after the first film's events, and it doesn't fit the Hocus Pocus 2 storyline. The nod to Binx with Cobweb is a nice one, but nothing more should be read into it.

Which characters return in Hocus Pocus 2?

Hocus Pocus 2 welcomes back Billy Butcherson, the book, Cobweb the cat, and of course Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy — though Omri Katz and Vinessa Shaw won't return.

Is Emily Binx in Hocus Pocus 2?

Didn't Return: Thackery Binx (Sean Murray)

Murray did not return to Hocus Pocus 2, nor was there any mention of Thackery or his little sister Emily, aside from some 1993 flashback footage of the Sanderson Sisters attacking Emily, featuring Emily's portrayer Amanda Shepherd.

What did Kenny Ortega think of Hocus Pocus 2?

Kenny told Entertainment Weekly: "No, they did not approach me to direct it, which was disappointing, but, of course, in the end, I was very supportive, wanting for Bette, Kathy, and Sarah to have another crack at it. "You let go of things, you surrender, you move on, you don't hold on, you don't have ownership.

Who turned down the role of Max in Hocus Pocus?

Leonardo DiCaprio had the chance to play the lead role of Max Dennison in 1993 cult classic fantasy comedy movie Hocus Pocus, but ultimately turned it down.

Why is Omri Katz not in Hocus Pocus 2?

During the panel discussion, a fan asked why the actors weren't involved in the recent sequel. “We weren't invited to that meeting. So we don't really know why we weren't invited,” Katz answered. “I think the fan base really wanted to see something with us. ...

What happened to Max Dennison?

Omri Katz (Max Dennison)

Of all the “Hocus Pocus” stars, Omri Katz is the only one who largely left Hollywood after starring in the film. Today, he runs a cannabis brand, but has noted that he'd be open to returning for future “Hocus Pocus” projects.

What went wrong with Hocus Pocus 2?

This film suffers from a lazy script due to several rehashed lines or sequences from the original film. I get that the writers were aiming for the nostalgia of the original film, but it was completely overdone.

Which actress didn't come back for Hocus Pocus 2?

Though original Hocus Pocus actress Thora Birch didn't reprise her beloved role as Dani in Hocus Pocus 2, the sequel stars who took the reins from the 1993 film's OG roster of teens tell EW what might've happened if a grown-up version of her character appeared in director Anne Fletcher's film as first planned.

Who was originally supposed to play Max in Hocus Pocus?

Hocus Pocus director Kenny Ortega tells EW that his casting agents sent the future Titanic and Killers of the Flower Moon superstar actor in to read for the role of Max — which eventually went to Omri Katz — in the 1993 Disney classic, but that his team told him DiCaprio wouldn't be able to take the part.

Why is her smile backwards in Hocus Pocus 2?

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly Kathy Najimy explained she switched the side of the smile to the left as it was getting too difficult to do it on the right side. She said: "It's on the other side mainly because it's so hard for me to do it on the side I did it on 30 years ago.

What was the original ending of Hocus Pocus 2?

During the end credits of Hocus Pocus 2, the Sanderson Sisters returned for one last musical number set at a recording studio, but this was originally going to take place in purgatory.