Original Hocus Pocus director Kenny Ortega says he wasn't approached to make sequels: 'Disappointing' Ortega tells EW he's still "available and interested" in working on the upcoming Hocus Pocus 3 — but that he hasn't yet watched the Anne Fletcher-directed sequel.

Why did Kenny Ortega not do Hocus Pocus 2?

The 73-year-old filmmaker helmed the classic 1993 Disney movie but was left frustrated that he wasn't approached to be involved in the development of last year's follow-up – which saw Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy reprise their roles as the trio of witches.

Why did Kenny Ortega leave Disney?

In 2019, Netflix plucked Ortega away from the Disney Channel to sign a multiple-year overall deal with the streaming giant, and with Auntie Claus and the tween musical Julie and the Phantoms among his first projects.

Why did people not like Hocus Pocus 2?

Hocus Pocus 2 is a lot of underdeveloped characters, teenage nonsense that is made famous in Zombies and Descendants. The emotional moments and real if character connections of the first one are sort of washed out and drowned by the overdramatized moments that do little for viewers like me.

Why wasn t the original cast 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.

‘Hocus Pocus 2’: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy Prove The Witches Are Back

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.

Was Hocus Pocus 2 a flop?

'Hocus Pocus 2' proves this Hollywood flop is officially a Halloween cult classic. The original movie was terrible. However, the sequel is brilliant, and a reminder of why Disney has become the biggest success story in entertainment.

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.

Did Hocus Pocus 2 get bad reviews?

Hocus Pocus 2 is basically a boiling cauldron of nostalgia, but that's just enough for this belated sequel to cast a reasonably effective spell. Hocus Pocus 2 has its moments, but for fans who've waited years for a sequel to the original, this is mostly a disappointment.

Why are parents upset about Hocus Pocus 2?

Gooch first warned parents about the film on social and then joined CBS' local Texas affiliate Kwtx for a now-viral interview. “A worst case scenario is: you unleash hell on your kids and in your home,” Gooch said. “The whole movie is based on witches harvesting children for blood sacrifices.”

Did Kenny Ortega direct Hocus Pocus?

Kenneth John Ortega (born April 18, 1950) is an American filmmaker, touring manager, and choreographer. He is known for directing the films Newsies, Hocus Pocus, The Cheetah Girls 2, High School Musical, Michael Jackson's This Is It, Descendants, and Julie and the Phantoms.

Did Kenny Ortega know Michael Jackson?

Kenny Ortega: He was chosen by Michael Jackson and AEG Live to direct and choreograph the "This Is It" shows. Ortega, who choreographed for Jackson's "Dangerous" and "HIStory" tours, testified at Dr. Conrad Murray's criminal trial that "Jackson was frail" at a rehearsal days before his death. Dr.

What did Kenny Ortega direct?

Throughout his career Ortega has directed a variety of live specials; XIX Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (2002); documentaries; Michael Jackson's This is It (2009); television series; Grounded for Life, Gilmore Girls, Ally McBeal, The Playboy Club, Bunheads; films; Hocus Pocus (1993), High School Musical 3: Senior ...

Why is Thackery Binx not in Hocus Pocus 2?

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. In Murray's case, Thackery Binx also died at the end of the first movie.

Who turned down the role of Max Dennison 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.

Is Allison in Hocus Pocus 2?

And while Allison didn't appear in the long-awaited 2022 sequel Hocus Pocus 2 alongside Midler, 77, Parker, 58, and Najimy, 66, she has voiced her desire to return as her character. "I haven't heard anything," Shaw, 47, told Entertainment Tonight in October 2021. "I know, it's so disappointing.

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.

What is inappropriate in Hocus Pocus 2?

Parents need to know that Hocus Pocus 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to Disney's hugely popular 1990s fantasy comedy Hocus Pocus. Like the original, the witchy sequel is family-friendly overall but does have magical violence, name-calling, and gross-out scenes, mostly involving a decapitated zombie.

Why is the ending of Hocus Pocus 2 so sad?

The somber moment is the film's greatest lesson. Winifred asks Becca and her "coven" to do a spell to reunite her with Mary and Sarah. Becca, Izzy and Cassie succeed but sadly, it just means Winifred dies to join her sisters. Winifred lets out one last, "Sisters!" before vanquishing.

Who was supposed to play Mary in Hocus Pocus?

Hocus Pocus has become a holiday classic in the years since its debut, and audiences have praised the performances of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. During a recent interview with THR, O'Donnell reveals that she was approached for the role of Mary Sanderson, the witch played by Najimy.

What did Bette Midler say about Hocus Pocus 2?

"As soon as we walked on the set, the dynamic between the three of us was exactly the same as it was 30 years ago," Midler says in ET's exclusive look at a featurette for the upcoming film. "It was like these characters lived with us for the last 30 years... It was a real thrill."

Did Bette Midler want to do Hocus Pocus 2?

The successful '96 film stars Midler, Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn as three divorcées who seek to get revenge on their ex-husbands. And while chatting with People, Midler revealed that she campaigned for a second installment of the comedy, but to no avail.

Did anyone like Hocus Pocus 2?

Hocus Pocus 2 Reviews

There is a lot to enjoy about the sequel, even for stubborn fanatics of the Kenny Ortega feature film. While there are plenty of fan service nods to its 1993 predecessor, “Hocus Pocus 2” stands capably on its own, offering a spooky diversion for a whole new generation of viewers.

Why did Hocus Pocus come out in July?

The film was released the same day as Free Willy. According to Kirschner, Disney chose to release Hocus Pocus in July to take advantage of children being off school for the summer. In October 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Hocus Pocus was re-released in 2,570 theaters.

How did Max save Dani again in Hocus Pocus?

The witches come after Dani, Max and Allison in a graveyard. They place Dani in an open grave lined with salt. Dani is captured again, and Winifred tries to kill her because Dani called her ugly. To save Dani, Max drinks a potion and asks the witches to take him in her place.