Hocus pocus 2 star Kathy Najimy explains a major sequel change in her character, Mary Sanderson. Released in 1993, the original Hocus Pocus brought the Sanderson sisters, three witches who draw the life force from the children of Salem, Massachusetts, to life when a group of modern children light the magical Black Flame Candle, bringing the sisters back to life. Winnie (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), and Mary (Najimy), who were executed for their crimes in 1693, return on Halloween night to wreak havoc. Nearly 30 since the release of the original, Disney has finally come out with a sequel, which is was released on September 30 of this year.
Hocus Pocus 2 too brought back Doug Jones and reprized his role as the zombie Billy Butcherson, along with the original trio of witches. However, the sequel didn’t feature the return of the original kids, including Omri Katz, Thora Birch, and Vinessa Shaw, instead focusing on a new group of youngsters lighting the candle and releasing the witches. Ever since Hocus pocus 2‘s release, viewers may have noticed a change in the trio’s most underrated sister, Mary. The sweetest of the three, Mary is known for her support of her sisters and her signature skewed smile, which goes in the opposite direction from the original in the sequel.
While speaking with Weekly entertainment, Najimy explained why the change in her character’s mouth was necessary. She also offered a funny character reason for the switch, which fits with the goofy tone of the movies. Check out what the actor had to say below:
“It’s on the other side, especially because it’s so hard for me to do it on the side where I did it 30 years ago. I’m sure the fans will go into deep detail about why it’s on the other side “It’s just something I came up with the first week. This is a big comedy so you don’t have to be subtle or have a 40 page Shakespearean backstory. We can justify it because there’s a scene at the beginning where Winnie slaps me, and my mouth goes to the other side, and then she slaps me again and it goes to the other side, and sticks.”
Does Hocus Pocus 2 live up to the original?
While Hocus pocus 2 was careful to honor what came before it, the reviews have been mixed, with some reporting that the film relies too heavily on nostalgia at the expense of the script and the younger cast members. However, the film also has supporters, many of whom especially praise Midler’s performance. Hocus pocus 2 at the time of writing it has a 61% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, much higher than the original Hocus Pocus‘ 39%. although Hocus pocus 2 perhaps not fully able to replicate the magic of the original, which has enjoyed decades of appreciation thanks to home video and basic cable, it’s a nice treat for those who miss the Sanderson sisters and their mischief.
Immediately Hocus pocus 2 End credits scene that seemed to open the way for a sequel, it’s possible the Sanderson sisters will be back sooner than audiences expect. Despite mixed reviews, the franchise has proven itself to be a Halloween hit and the demand for nostalgic fare continues to grow, so it’s likely Disney will act accordingly. Concerning the Hocus pocus 2 stars, both Midler and the other sisters have all stated that they would be returning for a third installment.
Source: EW
