Recasted: Who Would Star in a Hocus Pocus Remake?
The witchy classic is even more relevant today than it was 25 years ago.
For better or worse, Hollywood is really into remakes right now. But instead of viewing this trend as annoying and cynical, what if we really leaned into it and used it as an opportunity to rebuild the classics from scratch, making them even more perfect? It is in that spirit that MarieClaire.com presents Recasted, which dares to wonder, “Who would we want to see in this iconic film today?” Think of it as Fantasy Football mixed with your annual Oscar Pool
Halloween is here and I don’t have a costume. Normally this would be a mood-killer, but I’ve got everything I need to commemorate the holiday: My favorite bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, a plethora of king-sized candy bars, and a Netflix queue full of all the fall classics. The one that sticks out the most for Peak Halloween Enjoyment? Hocus Pocus.
I have never met a person who claimed to dislike this cult—well, witch—classic. Though it wasn’t that warmly received when it first came out in 1993 (maybe because of the confusing choice to release it in the summer?), legions of Disney Channel–bred ‘90s kids raised it from the dead in the decades that followed. Yes, nowadays the Sanderson sisters have had the last laugh, thanks in no small measure to a slew of Halloween movie marathons.
Coincidentally starring two Recasted alumnae—Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler—Hocus Pocus deserves a proper reboot that would show not only that it’s in on the joke of its own cheesiness, but that the original is in fact a comedy classic. Plus, after Billy Eichner and Tiffany Haddish made a remake of their own, I decided to take a whack at a full-on fantasy reboot.
Come little children, as we recast Hocus Pocus.
Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson
Original: Bette Midler
Recasted: Julie Klausner
I swear this series isn’t just a Julie Klausner fan column. And even if it is, there are worse things it could be. Ms. Klausner has already shown that she’s interested in the idea of taking over one of Bette’s iconic roles, so why not make it a double feature? Besides, she and the next two new cast members together would create pure magic. Pun intended, okay?
Mary Sanderson
Original: Kathy Najimy
Recasted: Kate Berlant
Watch a set by comedian Kate Berlant (try her half-hour Characters special on Netflix) and you might walk away convinced she’s an actual witch. She’s connected to a different realm somehow: Berlant can truly bring any type of person—no matter how ridiculous—to truly believable life. Mary’s power lies in her superhuman sense of smell, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Kate could easily steal the whole movie just...sniffing. She really could.
Sarah Sanderson
Original: Sarah Jessica Parker
Recasted: Catherine Cohen
If you don’t know Catherine Cohen, then you’re welcome for changing your life. Her performances are a staple of the New York comedy scene, and I firmly believe that by this time next year, she’ll be everywhere. Cohen would be the perfect Sarah Sanderson, as she already entrances audiences with her singing comedy Cabernet Cabaret show. Luckily for them, her intention isn't to trick you and steel your beauty—only to get her songs stuck in your head for the rest of your life. And they will be.
Thackery Binx (The Cat)
Originally Voiced by: Jason Marsden
Recasted: John Early
Because you can’t have Kate Berlant without John Early (just watch this comedy duo in action). Early would not only thrive as a dubbed animatronic cat, but I’m already halfway done fever-dreaming a spin-off of Thackery and Mary running off somewhere and starting over. Think of it as a Seinfeld, but with a cat and a witch. Executives, are you hearing this?
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