Katz was high while filming an important scene of the movie. During an October 2022 roundtable with Entertainment Weekly, Katz said he "started experimenting with cannabis" at 16, the age he was filming "Hocus Pocus." "Let's just say, some of those scenes, I was having a good old time," Katz said.
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.
Bette Midler, who first portrayed Winifred Sanderson in Hocus Pocus at 46, returned at 76, showing her magnetic presence and comedic timing remain captivating. Sarah Jessica Parker, already recognized for her work before Hocus Pocus, returned at 56, bringing a mature yet playful energy to the lovable Sarah Sanderson.
"Hocus Pocus" Actor Omri Katz Admitted That He Was Totally Stoned While Filming The Movie. "We got it done, but that was kind of a wake-up call, like, Omri, you've got to be a little more professional and make sure you hit your cues!"
HOCUS POCUS (1993) - Cast: Then & Now 2023 | How They Changed!
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 did Leonardo DiCaprio turned down Hocus Pocus?
DiCaprio has said he was offered a large sum to be in Hocus Pocus. Nevertheless, he went with his gut and decided to decline the offer, as he was determined to get Arnie Grape's part (in What's Eating Gilbert Grape).
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.
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.
The actor, who plays Max Dennison in the 1993 Halloween movie, admitted to being high while acting, telling Entertainment Weekly, “That was at an age where I started experimenting with cannabis. Let's just say some of those scenes, I was having a good old time. I don't exactly remember which scene.”
Why didn't they use Sean Murray's voice in Hocus Pocus?
In 2017, Marsden told the Daily Beast that producers dubbed his voice over Murray's because the actor sounded "contemporary" and they thought it would be more realistic if Binx had "an affected accent" from the same time period as the witches.
'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.
Billy greatly despises Winifred, but he did have a relationship with her when he was alive because they shared one kiss. He put up with it until he is fed up with her obsession and fell in love with her youngest sister Sarah.
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.
It turns out Isabella is the descendant of Elizabeth, the daughter of a fourth, secret Sanderson sister, and she discovers later in the book that she also has magical abilities, similar to Becca in "Hocus Pocus 2."
The film was released in North America on July 16, 1993, by Walt Disney Pictures. Upon its original release, it received mixed reviews from critics and was initially a box-office bomb, possibly losing Disney around $16.5 million during its theatrical run.
The Hocus Pocus 3 plot has yet to be revealed, but the story can be easily guessed based on the last film. When Winifred chooses to return to her sisters at the end of Hocus Pocus 2, the special spellbook, referred to as "Book," finds new ownership in Becca, setting up the Hocus Pocus 3 story.
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.
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. ...
During a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Murray opened up about Hocus Pocus 2's returning stars. The original movie actor explained why he and several other stars did not return for Hocus Pocus 2, citing the sequel's need to simply move onto a new story involving the Sanderson Sisters.
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.
One such choice was made early in the 1990s when DiCaprio decided to turn down what would later become a fan-favourite Disney flick, telling Movieline in a printed interview from 1995 that he didn't think much of 1993's Hocus Pocus when the script was slapped in front of him.
