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‘Hocus Pocus 2’ Director Explains Why Max and Allison Will NOT Be in Sequel

On September 30, Disney will make our millennial hearts jump for joy when they release Hocus Pocus 2 on Disney+. The original film — which starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the wickedly funny Sanderson sisters — did not do very well when it was released in theaters in 1993. However, it gained a cult following and has only gotten more popular in the years since. After years of begging, Disney finally announced that they would be making a Hocus Pocus sequel. Even better? Midler, Najimy, and Parker would return to reprise their original roles!

Hocus Pocus 2
Credit: Disney

In addition to the original Sanderson sisters, Hocus Pocus 2 will also see the return of Doug Jones, who played Winifred Sanderson’s ex, Billy Butcherson. The new sequel will definitely lean into the nostalgia of the original. However, it has now been confirmed that one bit of the past will not make a reappearance. According to the film’s director, Anne Fletcher — who spoke to Entertainment Weekly — Omri Katz and Vinessa Shaw, who played Max Dennison and Allison in the original movie, will not be returning.

Hocus Pocus
Credit: Disney

Per Entertainment Weekly:

“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 explains. “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. 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.”

Hocus Pocus
Credit: Disney

There are several other original Hocus Pocus actors that we can confirm are also not returning for Hocus Pocus 2. Thora Birch — who played Dani Dennison — was supposed to be in the new film but, ultimately, her role had to be scrapped due to scheduling conflicts. Larry Bagby and Tobias Jelinek, who played high school bullies Jay and Ernie (AKA Ice), also said that they would not be in the sequel, even though they tried to make it happen. Finally, even though a black cat was seen in the trailer, it has been confirmed that Thackery Binx will not be in the new movie.

Jay and Ice Hocus Pocus
Credit: Disney

Hocus Pocus 2 will be available so stream on Disney+ beginning September 30. The movie will also star Tony Hale, Hannah Waddingham, Belissa Escobedo, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, and Sam Richardson. If you want to start your Hocus Pocus 2 celebration early, then you can settle in with a bowl of Hocus Pocus cereal and watch the original movie, which is also available on Disney+.

Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!

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