Kenny Ortega: Last News

Apparently, Omri Katz was lighting a little more than just the black flame candle while working on Hocus Pocus! Ha!

Omri Katz played he character Max Dennison in the 1993 Halloween cult classic Hocus Pocus.And the actor revealed he was high during portions of filming the movie, according to his new interview with Entertainment Weekly. The 46-year-old actor was 16 when he played the role, adding that filming was 'at an age where I started experimenting with cannabis. Let's just say, some of those scenes, I was having a good old time.' Shocking: Omri Katz played he character Max Dennison in the 1993 Halloween cult classic Hocus Pocus.

Lighting the candle — or the pipe? Omri Katz opened up about his experience filming Hocus Pocus at sixteen, and how toking up on the job almost cost him the role.

Vanessa Hudgens revealed the story behind her nostalgic June 26 road trip to East High School in Salt Lake City, which was the setting of the High School Musical trilogy she starred in from 2006-2008.'My boyfriend [Cole Tucker] was playing in Salt Lake. He's a baseball player [for the Arizona Diamondbacks],' the 33-year-old former child star explained to EW last Friday.'So he was at the field and I had rented a car and I was like, "I want to go check it out and take some pictures for old time's sake."' Nostalgic: Vanessa Hudgens revealed the story behind her June 26 road trip to East High School in Salt Lake City, which was the setting of the High School Musical trilogy she starred in from 2006-2008 Much ado was made over Vanessa's former leading man both on and off screen - Zac Efron - making the same trip to visit East High just one month later.'What can I say,' Hudgens shrugged.

during the Broadway Podcast Network’s “The Art of Kindness” podcast on Thursday.“This started before COVID, but now it seems to be back on — and that is that they are building a Broadway version of ‘Hocus Pocus,’ ” said Kirschner.“I just want to pinch myself, and I’m just afraid that I’m going to be 9 years old and on a Little League field again … But it’s just so wonderful just to stand back and watch all of this.”The 67-year-old producer and “Hocus Pocus” creator made the announcement a day before the highly-anticipated sequel is set to fly on Disney+.“It’s not just me. It’s so many people that brought ‘Hocus Pocus’ [to life] — from [director] Kenny Ortega and Mick Garris’ script and John Debney’s score and Bill Sandell’s production design, and now a whole new generation are working on it,” Kirschner said.“Hocus Pocus” and its sequel star Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the hilarious-yet-sinister Sanderson sisters — who are hellbent on terrorizing modern-day Salem, Massachusetts.

Hocus Pocus casting its spell on Broadway? The Sanderson Sisters might be flying their brooms a bit closer to the stage after all.

A “Hocus Pocus” Broadway musical is in the works.

Peter Debruge Chief Film Critic What strange sorcery is this that “Hocus Pocus” — a so-so comedy turned campy cult favorite starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as absolutely fabulous Salem witch sisters — should be getting a sequel nearly three decades after its 1993 release? At the time, Variety speculated that, were it not for the film’s three stars, “‘Hocus Pocus’ wouldn’t seem out of place on the Disney Channel, and perhaps belongs there.” (Its director, Kenny Ortega, would go on to helm the “High School Musical” franchise for the cabler.) In a sense, that’s what’s happened with this follow-up, aimed to breathe some life into the graveyard that is Disney+. The sequel’s existence owes less to popular demand (the original earned a respectable $39.3 million stateside and went on to become a Halloween season staple) than the realization that the film had tapped into preteens’ fascination with witchcraft before Harry Potter came along. It can be no coincidence that the new feature lifts so much of its look and feel from that franchise — with eye of newt, a dead man’s head and some aspects of “The Craft” tossed in for good measure. In “Hocus Pocus 2,” the three teens called upon to save Salem from the Sanderson sisters’ return are themselves budding witches, which means the movie is less about scaring kids away from magic than indulging their post-Potter junior wizarding fantasies.

Michaela Zee editorDisney has released the official trailer for “Hocus Pocus 2,” in which the Sanderson sisters will once again put a spell on you. The new trailer debuted at the D23 Expo with an introduction from Disney Chairman Alan Bergman. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy and Doug Jones are reprising their roles from the original 1993 film. Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo and Whitney Peak also star in the sequel, along with “Drag Race” queens Ginger Minj, Kahmora Hall and Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté. 

EXCLUSIVE: Kristin Chenoweth (Schmigadoon!), Kenny Ortega (Julie and the Phantoms) and producers Alan Powell, Steve Barnett and Vicky Patel of Monarch Media are teaming for the docuseries 1300 Miles to Broadway. Inspired by Chenoweth’s Broadway Bootcamp, the series introduces 8th to 12th graders to the world of performing arts through master classes in acting, singing and dancing, and goes on the emotional journey with them as they prepare for a future as performers.

The iconic Disney film Hocus Pocus in concert is coming to Manchester this Halloween, as part of spooky UK tour. Featuring live orchestral music from Emmy winning composer John Debney, Hocus Pocus in Concert will play at Bridgewater Hall on Monday October 24.

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is reportedly in the works at Paramount Pictures.According to a new report from Deadline, the spin-off will be helmed by Cobra Kai creators Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg and Josh Heald, with Bill Posley set to write the script.Titled Sam and Victor’s Day Off, the new movie will “follow the same-day adventure of the titular valets who took the Ferrari on a joy ride in the Matthew Broderick-starrer.”Others included in the new project are Paul Young (producer), Devon Young (executive producer) and Stephen Cedars, Benji Kleiman and Scott Yacyshyn (associate producers).During the first COVID lockdown in 2020, the cast of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off reunited as part of Josh Gad’s web series ‘Reunited Apart’.The Frozen actor spent his lockdown bringing the casts of famous movies back together for a series of lockdown webcam specials, including The Goonies, The Lord of the Rings and Ghostbusters.For the final one in the series, Gad united Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, Mia Sara and Jennifer Grey from the John Hughes cult classic.Also joining in on the reunion were Lyman Ward and Cindy Pickett, who portrayed Bueller’s parents, as well as economics teacher star Ben Stein, as the cast talked about their memories from the film.

Hocus Pocus 2 has received a new teaser trailer sure to delight fans with the return of the beloved Sanderson sisters.Played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, the sisters are a trio of witches who headlined the original 1993 movie.And now in the trailer for its sequel, they are summoned back from the beyond by a group of teenagers who perform an occult ritual. Back at it:Hocus Pocus 2 has received a new teaser trailer featuring the return of the beloved Sanderson sisters played by (from left) Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica ParkerMichael Henry, Daryl Jim Diaz, and Tim Murray played the teens in the 1993 film, directed by Kenny Ortega, who later helmed High School Musical.MeanwhileWhitney Peak, Belissa Escobedo and Lilia Buckingham play the group of youngsters who, along with the Sandersons, head up the cast of the new movie.

Sasha Urban editorThe last time the witches of “Hocus Pocus” were revived, it took three centuries. This time around, it’s only been about three decades.The Sanderson sisters — Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy) — are almost back, and the first teaser trailer for “Hocus Pocus 2” has been released, giving a first taste of the wickedness to come.

Hocus Pocus 2, the sequel to the 1993 original film, has gotten a release date from Disney.On Tuesday the studio announced the flick will be available on Disney Plus beginning September 30.Bette Midler, 76,Kathy Najimy, 64, and Sarah Jessica Parker, 56, will reprise their roles in the new film. Upcoming: Hocus Pocus 2, the sequel to the 1993 original film, has gotten a release date from DisneyDisney showcased exclusive footage from the latest Hocus Pocus iteration at its upfront presentation.Entertainment Weeklyreported that a sneak peek of the new film opened with two girls ignitingthe Black Flame Candle to rally thethe evil Sanderson sisters.

Jazz Tangcay Artisans EditorVeteran talent agent Brooklyn Lavin has joined McDonald Selznick Associates (MSA) as the agency’s new below-the-line director and co-director of creatives direction.Lavin brings with her over two decades of experience and longtime clients.  Those clients will join MSA’s roster that includes Kenny Ortega, director and producer of “High School Musical,” Marguerite Derricks, choreographer of “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” and “Glow,” Jamal Sims who choreographed “Encanto,” and the live-action “Aladdin” and Brian Burke, Co-Executive Producer of “American Idol.”“I am very excited to join forces with MSA since we are already so like-minded and passionate about our creative clients,” said Lavin.

Hocus Pocus 2 producer Adam Shankman revealed that filming on the sequel has wrapped, and that it will debut on Disney+ on Halloween.'SISTAAAAAHHHHSSS! Aaaaand that's a WRAP!!! #hocuspocus2' Shankman, 57, said in an Instagram post Friday accompanied by a picture of a silhouette of the three witches in the film, played by Bette Midler, 76, Sarah Jessica Parker, 56, and Kathy Najimy, 64, on a shaggy surface.He continued: 'Congratulations to the amazing team @bettemidler @sarahjessicaparker @kathynajimy @567and8 @mrsleshem and the WHOOOOLLLEEEE cast and crew!!! Coming to you #halloween #2022 on @disneyplus.' The latest:Hocus Pocus 2 producer Adam Shankman, 57, revealed in an Instagram post Friday that filming on the sequel has wrapped, and that it will debut on Disney+ on Halloween The original motion picture was directed by Kenny Ortega, and hit theaters in July of 1993.It cast the trio of stars as the Sanderson Sisters, three witches who had been executed in the 17th century in Salem, and are inadvertently awoken on Halloween of 1993 by a child named Max (played by Omri Katz), who lit the Black Flame Candle. The storyline of the sequel sees the return of the witches to Salem, and the efforts of three teenage girls, played by Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, and Belissa Escobedo, to stop them.Anne Fletcher directed and Jen D'Angelo wrote the forthcoming film, which also stars Doug Jones, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, Hannah Waddingham, Juju Brenner, Froy Gutierrez, Taylor Henderson and Nina Kitchen.

UPDATED, 3:05 PM: Producer Adam Shankman took to Instagram on Friday to unveil a premiere date for the anticipated Hocus Pocus 2, announcing that the sequel to Kenny Ortega’s 1993 Disney classic will debut on Disney+ this Halloween.

Julie and the Phantoms is coming to an end.

Netflix has opted not to renew Julie and the Phantoms for a second season. Kenny Ortega, the musical dramedy’s executive producer, choreographer and director, announced the news on Instagram.

Another glorious morning! Twenty-eight years after Hocus Pocus was released, star Vinessa Shaw has fondly looked back at her childhood role in the film and even speculated potential sequel ideas.