Photo:MediaPunch/Shutterstock, AJ Pics / Alamy Stock PhotoRosie O’Donnellis recalling why she “just felt like I had to say no” to a role inHocus Pocus.While speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterfor an interview in the outlet’s Pride month celebration, O’Donnell, 61, confirmed that she turned down an offer to play the witch Mary Sanderson in the 1993 Halloween cult classic, a part that eventually went toKathy Najimy.“Because I didn’t want to play the fat, mean witch who eats and kills kids,” O’Donnell explained of why she turned down the role. “Even though it wasBette Midler, who was like, my favorite, andSarah Jessica Parker.““I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do a part where I would be mean to kids and the joke was about the [character’s] size,” she told the outlet. “I just felt like I had to say no for that.“O’Donnell, who made her film debut in 1992’sA League of Their Ownafter gaining fame for her stand-up comedy work through the ’80s, responded with a clear “No” whenTHRasked whether she holds any regret over not taking theHocus Pocusrole.Emma McIntyre/Getty"And I think Kathy’s fantastic in it. You know, she does that face. I don’t even know how she does it,” she said. Elsewhere in O’Donnell’s interview withTHR, the actress and comedian referred toHocus Pocusstar Middler as “one of the archetypal women that I grew up to and wanted to be around” during a wide-ranging discussion about her own career and life as a gay woman and single mother.Hocus Pocus, though not an initial critical or box office success, gained a second life as a cult classic for its Halloween-themed plot. Back in October, Disney released a sequel on Disney+ that saw Najimy, 66, reprise her role as Mary alongside returning cast members Parker, Midler, and Doug Jones.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Hocus Pocus 2broke a number of streaming recordsupon its release, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey confirmed toThe New York Timeson June 4 that the studio is officially developing the series' third installment.Snap/ShutterstockWhile Disney has not made any official announcements regarding production on the nextHocus Pocusmovie, Midler, 77, Najimy and Parker, 58, have each said they are open to making a third film starring the Sanderson sisters.“I’ve always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once,” Midler toldEntertainment Weeklyback in September. “I’d love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing.““I feel like we’re done. “We’ve pulled every story you could pull out of this,” Najimy initially said while speaking with the outlet, though she did slightly walk that back. “I guess, never say never, but I feel grateful that we got to do it again,” she added at the time.
Photo:MediaPunch/Shutterstock, AJ Pics / Alamy Stock Photo
MediaPunch/Shutterstock, AJ Pics / Alamy Stock Photo
Rosie O’Donnellis recalling why she “just felt like I had to say no” to a role inHocus Pocus.While speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterfor an interview in the outlet’s Pride month celebration, O’Donnell, 61, confirmed that she turned down an offer to play the witch Mary Sanderson in the 1993 Halloween cult classic, a part that eventually went toKathy Najimy.“Because I didn’t want to play the fat, mean witch who eats and kills kids,” O’Donnell explained of why she turned down the role. “Even though it wasBette Midler, who was like, my favorite, andSarah Jessica Parker.““I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do a part where I would be mean to kids and the joke was about the [character’s] size,” she told the outlet. “I just felt like I had to say no for that.“O’Donnell, who made her film debut in 1992’sA League of Their Ownafter gaining fame for her stand-up comedy work through the ’80s, responded with a clear “No” whenTHRasked whether she holds any regret over not taking theHocus Pocusrole.Emma McIntyre/Getty"And I think Kathy’s fantastic in it. You know, she does that face. I don’t even know how she does it,” she said. Elsewhere in O’Donnell’s interview withTHR, the actress and comedian referred toHocus Pocusstar Middler as “one of the archetypal women that I grew up to and wanted to be around” during a wide-ranging discussion about her own career and life as a gay woman and single mother.Hocus Pocus, though not an initial critical or box office success, gained a second life as a cult classic for its Halloween-themed plot. Back in October, Disney released a sequel on Disney+ that saw Najimy, 66, reprise her role as Mary alongside returning cast members Parker, Midler, and Doug Jones.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Hocus Pocus 2broke a number of streaming recordsupon its release, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey confirmed toThe New York Timeson June 4 that the studio is officially developing the series' third installment.Snap/ShutterstockWhile Disney has not made any official announcements regarding production on the nextHocus Pocusmovie, Midler, 77, Najimy and Parker, 58, have each said they are open to making a third film starring the Sanderson sisters.“I’ve always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once,” Midler toldEntertainment Weeklyback in September. “I’d love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing.““I feel like we’re done. “We’ve pulled every story you could pull out of this,” Najimy initially said while speaking with the outlet, though she did slightly walk that back. “I guess, never say never, but I feel grateful that we got to do it again,” she added at the time.
Rosie O’Donnellis recalling why she “just felt like I had to say no” to a role inHocus Pocus.
While speaking withThe Hollywood Reporterfor an interview in the outlet’s Pride month celebration, O’Donnell, 61, confirmed that she turned down an offer to play the witch Mary Sanderson in the 1993 Halloween cult classic, a part that eventually went toKathy Najimy.
“Because I didn’t want to play the fat, mean witch who eats and kills kids,” O’Donnell explained of why she turned down the role. “Even though it wasBette Midler, who was like, my favorite, andSarah Jessica Parker.”
“I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do a part where I would be mean to kids and the joke was about the [character’s] size,” she told the outlet. “I just felt like I had to say no for that.”
O’Donnell, who made her film debut in 1992’sA League of Their Ownafter gaining fame for her stand-up comedy work through the ’80s, responded with a clear “No” whenTHRasked whether she holds any regret over not taking theHocus Pocusrole.
Emma McIntyre/Getty
“And I think Kathy’s fantastic in it. You know, she does that face. I don’t even know how she does it,” she said. Elsewhere in O’Donnell’s interview withTHR, the actress and comedian referred toHocus Pocusstar Middler as “one of the archetypal women that I grew up to and wanted to be around” during a wide-ranging discussion about her own career and life as a gay woman and single mother.
Hocus Pocus, though not an initial critical or box office success, gained a second life as a cult classic for its Halloween-themed plot. Back in October, Disney released a sequel on Disney+ that saw Najimy, 66, reprise her role as Mary alongside returning cast members Parker, Midler, and Doug Jones.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Hocus Pocus 2broke a number of streaming recordsupon its release, and Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production president Sean Bailey confirmed toThe New York Timeson June 4 that the studio is officially developing the series' third installment.
Snap/Shutterstock
While Disney has not made any official announcements regarding production on the nextHocus Pocusmovie, Midler, 77, Najimy and Parker, 58, have each said they are open to making a third film starring the Sanderson sisters.
“I’ve always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once,” Midler toldEntertainment Weeklyback in September. “I’d love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing.”
“I feel like we’re done. “We’ve pulled every story you could pull out of this,” Najimy initially said while speaking with the outlet, though she did slightly walk that back. “I guess, never say never, but I feel grateful that we got to do it again,” she added at the time.
source: people.com
