What Happened to the Original Cast of 'Hocus Pocus'

October is almost upon us which means it's almost Hocus Pocus season and this year sees the release of the highly anticipated reboot.

Hocus Pocus 2 sees the return of the Sanderson sisters: Winnie (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Kathy Najimy).

The trailer is available to watch now and it has been confirmed Hocus Pocus 2 will begin streaming on Disney+ today (September 30).

The sequel looks set to feature a new cast of characters, with three high-school students seemingly awakening the witches after almost 30 years of slumber.

The original Hocus Pocus, released in 1993, has since become a cult classic—here's what the original cast members are up to now.

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Better Midler as Winifred Sanderson

Bette Midler stole the show as Winifred Sanderson in the original movie and the veteran actress has not been far from the spotlight ever since.

Apart from starring in dozens of movies and TV shows, Midler is politically active and highly vocal on Twitter.

The 76-year-old also has four Grammy Awards, four Golden Globes, one Tony and three Emmys under her belt.

"We're really gratified that we got the chance to take another crack at it. When the three witches appear on the screen in this new version, it is as if Elvis has entered the building. It is so nuts," Midler told Newsweek's Parting Shot about starring in the Hocus Pocus reboot.

Bette Midler
Bette Midler attends Disney's "Hocus Pocus 2" premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on September 27, 2022 in New York City. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson

Sarah Jessica Parker is set to return as witchy camp icon, Sarah Sanderson, in Hocus Pocus 2 but the actress has never been far from our screens since the 1993 film.

Perhaps best known for playing Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, Parker reprised that role for HBO reboot And Just Like That last year, and has played the lead role in dozens of hit movies including The First Wives Club (1996), The Family Stone (2005), Failure to Launch (2006), Did You Hear About the Morgans? (2009), and New Year's Eve (2011).

On reprising her Hocus Pocus role, Parker told reporters she was feeling: "Lucky, privileged, happy, joyful." (per People.)

Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker attends the Hocus Pocus 2 World Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 27, 2022 in New York City. Getty Images

Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson

Kathy Najimy is set to reprise her role as the third Sanderson sister, Mary in Hocus Pocus 2.

Since the 1993 classic came out, Najimy's film and TV roles have been endless.

Hope Floats (1998), The Wedding Planner (2001), and Rat Race (2001) are just some of her film roles since, while she also famously lent her voice to King of the Hill as Peggy.

On TV, Najimy is known for her recurring role on Veep.

"There is definitely a cult following," Najimy said of the reboot in an interview with Parade. "It's surprising but delightful."

Kathy Najimy
Kathy Najimy attends Disney's "Hocus Pocus 2" premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on September 27, 2022 in New York City. Getty Images

Omri Katz as Max

Omri Katz starred as the movie's hero Max back in 1993 but hasn't acted much since then apart from a role on Dallas.

Sadly, Katz is not reprising his role for the reboot, with a representative telling Entertainment Tonight: "People have been asking, and unfortunately, I'm not in it. I would have loved to be involved. I feel bad for the original fan base saying we aren't because I'm sure they wanted to see us reprise our roles."

He added: "I think it'll be good for everyone who loved the original! I hope fans will go see it. I know I will."

Omri Katz
Omri Katz as Max in Hocus Pocus (1993). Disney

Thora Birch as Dani

Thora Birch played Max's younger sister Dani in the original Hocus Pocus.

The actress, now aged 40, went on to star in American Beauty, Ghost World, The Walking Dead and more.

It was reported earlier this year by EW that Birch was initially considered for a supporting role in Hocus Pocus 2 but scheduling conflicts got in the way.

Thora Birch
Thora Birch attends Variety's 2022 Power of Women: Los Angeles event Presented by Lifetime at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on September 28, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. Getty Images

Vinessa Shaw as Allison

Vinessa Shaw starred as Max's love interest Allison in the original movie and since then her roles have included Eyes Wide Shut (1999), 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002), and the 2006 remake of Wes Craven's horror film The Hills Have Eyes.

Similarly to Katz, Shaw has not reprised her role for Hocus Pocus 2.

Vinessa Shaw
Vinessa Shaw attends "12 Mighty Orphans" New York premiere during the 2021 Tribeca Festival at Brooklyn Commons at MetroTech on June 14, 2021 in New York City. Getty Images

Doug Jones as Billy Butcherson

Doug Jones played the lovable zombie Billy Butcherson in the original movie and fans will be pleased to hear that he is returning for the reboot.

Known for portraying non-human creatures via heavy prosthetics, Jones' other famous roles include Mimic (1997), Hellboy (2004), Pan's Labyrinth (2006), Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008), Crimson Peak (2015), and The Shape of Water.

On reprising the role of Billy, Jones told Yahoo: "For me, it was absolutely surreal to be back in this look.

"I looked in the mirror when they were done with my make-up, hair and wardrobe and thought: 'Oh my gosh: two minutes have gone by in the last 29 years."

Doug Jones
Doug Jones attends Disney's "Hocus Pocus 2" premiere at AMC Lincoln Square Theater on September 27, 2022 in New York City. Getty Images

Hocus Pocus 2 is written by Jen D'Angelo and directed by Anne Fletcher (Hot Pursuit, Dumplin').

Joining the cast are Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham and Belissa Escobedo, who will all attempt to stop the Sanderson sisters, while Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso), Tony Hale (Arrested Development) and Sam Richardson (The Afterparty) will also star.

Hocus Pocus
L-R) Anne Fletcher, Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Adam Shankman, Lynn Harris, and Sam Richardson attend the Hocus Pocus 2 World Premiere at AMC Lincoln Square on September 27, 2022 in New York... Getty Images

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