Hocus Pocus 2 will resurrect the Sanderson Sisters and Billy Butcherson… But don’t expect cameos from the non-magical stars of the original Disney flick. Omri Katz (Max) and Vinessa Shaw (Allison) will not appear in the new movie.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, sequel director Anne Fletcher said adding the original Hocus Pocus crew to the new story ultimately proved too difficult.

“We wanted to weave in all of the people that the fans loved, and when you sat back with all the ingredients and story, you’re like, how do we make this work?” Fletcher said. “It was very difficult to try to have them be a part of it, because we did talk about it — painstakingly. You’re trying to stay on track with story, even if they came in as a cameo.”

“Not even a cameo?” I hear the crowd cry. But Fletcher is way ahead of you. She added, “People would say, ‘They could be in the background!’ and I’m like, really? You’re going to put the leads of the first movie in the background and be satisfied? You’re not going to be satisfied, you’re going to be angry.”

While Hocus Pocus 2 was in an earlier stage of production, the movie considered bringing back Thora Birch (Max’s sister Dani) in a supporting role. But ultimately, scheduling conflicts prevented her from joining the film.

Other original Hocus Pocus cast members confirmed to NOT have a role in the sequel include Larry Bagby and Tobias Jelinek (Max’s bullies who end up captured by the Sanderson Sisters) and Jason Marsden (voice of the feline Thackery Binx).

In other words, the returning cast will include Bette Midler (Winifred Sanderson), Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson), Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson), and Doug Jones (Billy Butcherson). Confirmed new cast members for Hocus Pocus 2 include Sam Richardson as the owner of a magic shop operating out of the old Sanderson home; Tony Hale as the mayor of Salem; and Hannah Waddingham in a mystery role. The new trio of teens will be played by Belissa Escobedo, Lilia Buckingham, and Whitney Peak.

Hocus Pocus 2 premieres on Disney+ September 30.

Source: Entertainment Weekly

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