Kenny Ortega Details “Hocus Pocus” Casting Process, Says Leonardo DiCaprio Was Nearly Cast in a Main Role
Kenny Ortega Details “Hocus Pocus” Casting Process, Says Leonardo DiCaprio Was Nearly Cast in a Main Role
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Meredith Wilshere, Angela AndaloroSun, October 25, 2026 at 4:00 PM UTC
Leonard DiCaprio; Omri KatzCredit: Barry King/WireImage;Ralph Dominguez/MediaPunch via Getty -
Kenny Ortega said Leonardo DiCaprio was considered for Max Dennison before Omri Katz landed the role in Hocus Pocus
DiCaprio previously said he declined the part despite being offered more money than he had imagined
Ortega praised Thora Birch and reunited with several cast members at ‘90s Con in Connecticut
Hocus Pocus almost had another famous face in its cast.
During a panel at ‘90s Con in Hartford, Conn., on Sunday, Oct. 18, Kenny Ortega detailed the casting process for the 1993 witchy comedy, sharing that Leonardo DiCaprio was almost cast as Max Dennison.
“I always look for the promise,” Ortega, 76, explained. “I don’t necessarily look for what’s in the room in terms of what a person is bringing out in terms of an audition. I’m looking deeper. I’m looking at who’s inside of that.”
He said that when he sees “someone walk into a room and reveal a part of themselves, that fascinates me.”
Speaking about the final cast, Ortega said he felt like “each and every one” of them would “bring something to the experience” that was unique.
Omri Katz in ‘Hocus Pocus’Credit: Walt Disney Pictures
“It wasn’t going to be about me always guiding, directing, suggesting. They all came to the party every single day and brought so much with them, each and every one of them,” he said.
Although he noted that they “were looking at Leonardo DiCaprio” to play Dennison, they ultimately “chose Omri Katz.”
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In 2014, DiCaprio told Variety that he was offered “more money than I ever dreamed of” to take the role in the Disney film, but said he passed in hopes of landing What’s Eating Gilbert Grape, for which he later earned an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
The cast of ‘Hocus Pocus’Credit: Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett Collection
Katz stepped into the role of Dennison alongside Thora Birch, who played Dani Dennison, Max’s sister who loves Halloween.
Ortega said that “there was no child actor working in the industry anywhere in the country that could hold a candle to” Birch at the time.
“No more beautiful was there or more talented a woman than this young lady here,” Ortega added.
The movie also starred Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the witch trio, the Sanderson sisters. Ortega was joined by Katz, Birch, Jason Marsden, Vinessa Shaw, Tobias Jelink and Larry Bagby to talk about the movie at ‘90s Con.
Ortega shared that he loves this cast “with all of my heart and I haven’t been with them since the 25th anniversary. So being here today and yesterday has just fulfilled so much for me. My heart is full. Thank you all for being here and supporting this movie through the years.”
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
