Actress Thora Birch was asked to return for Hocus Pocus 2. In the original Hocus Pocus in 1993, Birch played Dani, the adorable younger sister of the protagonist, Max. Dani helped Max (Omri Katz), along with his crush Allison (Vinessa Shaw) and the cursed cat, Thackery Binx (Sean Murray), best the Sanderson Sisters and stop their plot to become immortal in what has become a classic Halloween film. Many fans fell in love with Dani for her sassy attitude and good heart, and most people can’t help but shed a tear when she gives Binx a tearful goodbye.
The upcoming Hocus Pocus 2 was announced in early 2020. The film is said to follow three teen girls after they accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters back to modern-day Salem, 29 years after the events of the original film. The sequel features the original sisters— Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy— as well as Doug Jones reprising his role as Winifred’s long-dead ex, Billy Butcherson.
Unfortunately, not all the original cast is returning, as EW confirmed that Birch had to decline the offer to appear in the highly anticipated sequel. In the original plans for the film, a grown-up Dani would have returned to help defeat the Sanderson Sisters once again in a “good supporting role.” Due to scheduling conflicts with the new Netflix series, Wednesday, which Birch is appearing in, she had to turn down the offer.
Despite Birch’s absence, production for Hocus Pocus 2 trucks on. The film has added some talented new faces, like Ted Lasso‘s Hannah Waddingham as well as Tony Hale and Sam Richardson from Veep. The three teen protagonists are played by Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl), Belissa Escobedo (American Horror Stories), and Lilia Buckingham (Crown Lake). So, with that cast in place and with the exciting behind-the-scenes content that has been released thus far, it appears Hocus Pocus 2 is still shaping up nicely. Additionally, Bette Midler confirmed on Twitter that filming wrapped in January, which bodes well for the film’s fall 2022 release.
Many have said that a Hocus Pocus sequel cannot live up to the 1993 film without its original cast, so the confirmation that Birch will not be returning may put some on edge. And considering several other members of the original cast have not been confirmed for returns either, some may fear that the sequel will stray too far from the original material. However, with several months until the film’s release, it is safe to assume that there is still more to be revealed about Hocus Pocus 2, and fans have no need to worry.
Source: EW
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