He’s being offered a movie with [Robert] De Niro andWhat’s Eating Gilbert Grape."
When we started shooting, it became a funny version, much lighter.
It was a different approach…
Vinessa Shaw, Thora Birch, and Omri Katz in ‘Hocus Pocus’.Everett Collection
I don’t remember a lot of those punchlines or one-liners being present.
SHAW:It wasn’t them fumbling around and bumping into each other, it was straightforward.
We shared a sandwich together.
Jason Marsden reveals why Binx doesn’t talk to his father in ‘Hocus Pocus’.Disney (2)
He was super cool.
Which raises the question: Why didn’t he just tell his parents who he was 300 years earlier?
It’s like,why is he not saying anything?
Bette Midler zaps Omri Katz in ‘Hocus Pocus’.Buena Vista Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
KATZ:That was at an age where I started experimenting with cannabis.
Let’s just say some of those scenes, I was having a good old time.
I don’t exactly remember which scene…
SHAW:I do.
Doug Jones and Omri Katz in ‘Hocus Pocus’.Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
and I was like, “No,” and of course I was.
SHAW:It was the scene when she’s like, “You.
Wonderful, magical little things.
Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker perform ‘I Put a Spell On You’ in ‘Hocus Pocus’.Everett Collection
KATZ:All of [the cemetery set] was practical; there were no CGI effects.
We didn’t have to act like something was going on because somethingwasgoing on.
SHAW:It’s so gross.
‘Hocus Pocus’ stars Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and Sarah Jessica Parker.Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock
It’s all practical effects, folks.
Don’t ever do it that way.
KATZ:There were some complications with the moths, according to Doug, even cutting the sutures.
The Sanderson Sisters return in ‘Hocus Pocus 2’.Disney+
The dude’s a master, and we all love him.
ORTEGA:The technology then was, really, pulling ropes.
On occasion, there would be electrical failures where they would be left up there, dangling.
It was funny until it hurt, right?
I remember coming in, and everybody was sweaty.
It was so hot in there.
Everybody was rehearsing the final moments.
The energy was so up.
Every character and costume was really into it, and it felt alive.
The [actors playing] the Supremes, I remember them being really into it.
When the song came on, it was explosive.
The production used multiple cats for the scene, which the cast recalls as a somewhat harrowing experience.
SHAW:I was the only one fascinated.
[Omri] and Thora were like, “Ugh” with the cats.
Not many people know this, but cats are hard to train.
Dogs, you’re able to teach more than one trick.
With cats, you could only teach them one, apparently.
I learned this while doingHocus Pocus.
There was literally a wall of cats, one cat for each trick.
MARSDEN:The wall of cats was on the same set as the cottage.
SHAW:[The book-pouncing scene] was a difficult take.
We had to do it over and over again because the cat wasn’t landing in the right spot.
It had to do two parts to its trick: It had to land andthenbat our faces.
That was a more complicated cat, so it wasn’t landing right, and it batted us improperly.
At one point it was batting way too much, and we were going crazy.
It was in my head perpetually.
SHAW:Miraculously, it didn’t get into my eyes.
When we crossed paths, it had to be for a very important scene.
This is your weapon and your protection!”
So, I emptied an entire canister of salt doing that.
SHAW:I remember Kathy’s stunt double.
I got blisters from pulling on this crazy vacuum cord.
We did our own stunts, me, Doug, and Thora!
Harnesses are the least comfortable thing ever.
Everybody was flying on pullies and ropes, and I recall the discomfort.
SHAW:I remember Sarah Jessica Parker the most.
We shared the same makeup trailer with Sarah Jessica, and Kathy.
Kathy was nice, funny, and warm with me.
Sarah Jessica asked me a lot of questions, like, “Oh, nice to meet you.
This is your second movie?
Do you want to do this with the rest of your life?
That’s nice, I started when I was young, I started on Broadway inAnnie.”
I just loved Sarah Jessica Parker; I grew up with her.
I remember her being a real sweet girly girl with me and always checking in.
ORTEGA:When Disney first saw what Bette wanted to do….
If you want me to be the actress, you’ve got to bend here."
I would’ve loved to have gone back and play again, but that I didn’t is okay.
She was outstanding; I was hoping to see lots more of her.
SHAW:I saw it, and I felt everyone salivating over those ladies again.
It satiated my wanting to see them, and I love the new actors that are involved.
I especially thought the backstory girls playing the witches as children were hilarious.
KATZ:I remember we were at a convention the weekend it came out.
As I was going to sleep, I was like, I’ll watch it.
I think it would’ve been more fun if we were involved, but it was still very enjoyable.
KATZ:I’d be 100 percent down to do it… you’re free to create any story.
The witches are 30 years older, so we’ve got to get this done sooner than later.
We can’t wait another 30 years.
Sorry, it’s the truth!
I’m sure Bette does not want to be doing this at age 98.
SHAW:She has the best time.
I bet she will.
The craggier, the better!
