The heroic trio of kids from the original film might have been absent inHocus Pocus 2, but actors Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw and Thora Birch all reunited in Salem, and with the voice of Thackery Binx (Jason Marsden). The stars of director Kenny Ortega’sHocus Pocus(1993) converged onIt’s Just a Buncha Halloween!!!event last weekend. And Shaw couldn’t have been more pleased with her time there. Shaw said (perBloody Disgusting):
“I had the best time. I haven’t been here for 31 years. The 30th anniversary presented the perfect opportunity to celebrate how much we enjoyed this film and celebrate the fans as well. We were crazy in some ways to come right in the middle of October, but we were welcomed by everyone. We’re completely indebted to the kindness of the locals using their expertise and their services to help make this special not only for us but for all the fans.”
NCISactor Sean Murray didn’t put in an appearance at the event, but neither did the Sanderson sisters: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy. Murray played the human form of Thackery Binx before being transformed into the immortal black cat. In 1993,Hocus Pocuswas just another movie these talented actors added to their respective resumes. 30 years later,Hocus Pocusis a must-see event during the Halloween season. And Shaw spoke about returning to the nostalgic shooting location in the same interview:
“It was a fleeting moment in our lives, only a few months did we shoot this movie, but it meant so much to us then, and it means so much to people as well as ourselves now. It’s like a mutual feeling that we all share. Seeing those locations just put the icing on the cake of our whole weekend.”
Hocus Pocus: Where the Original 1993 Cast Is Today
It’s been 300 years (or so it seems) since Hocus Pocus first premiered in 1993. Where is the original cast today?
Hocus Pocus Cast Celebrates Film’s 30th Anniversary
Yes, the actors who portrayed Allison (Vinessa Shaw), Max (Katz), Dani (Birch) and the voice of Thackery Binx (Marsden) all joined in the fun during last weekend’sIt’s Just a Buncha Halloween!!!festivities in Salem, Massachusetts. And for Katz, he simply can’t get over what a phenomenonHocus Pocushas become over the last three decades. Katz said in the same interview:
“I don’t think any one of us ever thought that 30 years later this movie would just constantly grow, obviously thanks to the fans. It just kind of came and went in the theaters, and here we are 30 years in a town that’s basically dedicated to it. It’s kind of a trip. It’s brought back a lot of great memories. I’m glad this friendship and this bond is stronger than ever.”
In fact, Shaw admitted that she remembersHocus Pocusbeing an altogether different experience in theaters back in 1993. Even with the star power of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy portraying the witchy Sanderson sisters, director Kenny Ortega’s movie didn’t quite make the cut 30 years ago. Shaw said:
“At first it was an embarrassment. People were like, ‘Oh, sorry about that. That really bombed and it got bad reviews.’ That was the feeling behind it. But basically the millennials who watched it as children were growing up and started showing it to their nieces and nephews and children. And it just snowballed. It surpassed our ideas of what it should have been. We were all heartbroken that it didn’t do well. We all felt the magic on the set.”
While Shaw and her fellow actors at the 30th anniversary celebration in Salem didn’t return inHocus Pocus 2, she wouldn’t say no to appearing as Allison in a third installment. Heck, judging from her love of the original film, Shaw is likely down to play any part inHocus Pocus 3. Shaw said:
Just to be with everyone again would be incredible. Even if it were just a crazy cameo, like a janitor sweeping up, I don’t care. Just give the fans what they want. They’ve been wanting to see us return in some form or fashion.
