Thora Birch, known for her role as Dani Dennison in the iconic 1993 film “Hocus Pocus,” has expressed her eagerness to return for a potential third installment of the beloved franchise. The announcement comes as Disney moves forward with development plans for “Hocus Pocus 3” following the success of “Hocus Pocus 2” on Disney+.
Thora Birch Open to Returning as Dani Dennison
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Birch stated she is “super open” to revisiting her character. She is curious about how the storyline will depict Dani’s future after more than three decades.
Birch’s enthusiasm reflects a growing interest among fans for original cast members to reunite. She highlighted the ongoing discussions related to the movie, saying, “They love talking about this stuff, so we’ll see.”
Background of Hocus Pocus Franchise
The original “Hocus Pocus” featured Dani alongside her older brother Max, played by Omri Katz, and his love interest Allison, portrayed by Vinessa Shaw. The trio embarks on a mission to rescue the children of Salem, Massachusetts, after the witch Sanderson sisters are inadvertently awakened from a long slumber.
Successful Sequel and Coming Third Film
The sequel, released in 2022, saw the return of the Sanderson sisters, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. Despite their resurgence, Birch, Katz, and Shaw did not reprise their roles in the second movie. However, it set a record on Disney+, amassing an impressive 2.7 billion minutes of streaming within its first week.
- Original Film Release: 1993
- Sequel Release: 2022
- Record Streaming Minutes: 2.7 billion
Following the sequel’s triumph, Sean Bailey, President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, confirmed that “Hocus Pocus 3” is in the pipeline. Moreover, Midler has mentioned she has reviewed a script for the upcoming film, describing it as containing “a lot of brilliant” elements, although some logistical matters remain to be addressed before production can commence.
The continuation of the “Hocus Pocus” series raises intriguing questions about the fate of beloved characters, including Dani Dennison. With Birch’s openness to return, fans may soon see familiar faces as the magic of Salem continues to captivate audiences.
