For many fans, the new Hocus Pocus film doesn’t hit like the original. Some blame the lack of camp, while others feel it’s missing real connections to the original movie. Well, we’ve learned that Hocus Pocus 2 did have plans to include a legacy character; sadly, it never happened.
In a new interview with The Wrap, Thora Birch opened up about the sequel and how she was asked to return for the streaming film. Her outlook and plans for the character were simple: Birch wanted a passing of the torch moment. She wanted to see her character take over running the Sanderson Sisters’ cottage museum, where she’d meet the new group of protagonists (in the film, Sam Richardson plays the same role).
Still, Birch seemed to have plenty of ideas. the actress stating that: “There were about two or three different versions of Dani. My ideal one was to have her running the museum of the house, to kind of like keep a watch, making sure that you know, it doesn’t happen again or whatever. And then she could, like, guide whoever brings it back. But that was just my thought,” says Birch.
“There were a couple of other ideas… there were several options, and they all would have worked. The fans’ demand for it kind of really is what got me interested in the idea of like, ‘OK, well, if it were going to be happening, what would that look like?’ And I was a longtime supporter. Once I came to that conclusion that the fans really wanted it, you can’t deny the fans. Keep the franchise going, right? Why not?” continues the actress.
Adding, “So then I was like, ‘OK, whatever they come up with, I’ll see. I’ll wait and see what they come up with.’ And then I really did [want to be part of it], because they did, they came up with a good story and a premise, and they contemporized and shifted it, and I think it’s taking like a little bit of a different direction. But it’s got all the old stuff at it too. And yeah, just to see the witches back together like, uh, hello, of course, everyone wants to see that!”
With a cameo like Birch wanted, it could’ve undoubtedly helped the Hocus Pocus 2. While it’s gaining a bit of a group defending it, it’s been mostly met with mediocre reviews. At the time of writing, it currently sits at 61% critics score and a 58% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
SEE ALSO: Read our review of Hocus Pocus 2 here
If Disney wanted to make a Hocus Pocus 3, they should let Thora Birch join the creative team!
It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, and they are looking for revenge. Now Hallow’s to three high-school students to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.
Directed by Anne Fletcher, Hocus Pocus 2 sees the return of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Doug Jones alongside newcomers Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belisa Escobedo, Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, Juju Brener, Froy Gutierrez, Taylor Paige Henderson, and Nina Kitchen.
Hocus Pocus 2 is streaming now on Disney+.
