Original characters Max, Dani, and Allison aren’t involved in the mishaps of Hocus Pocus 2, with the director’s reasoning making sense for the story. Hocus Pocus 2 picks up 29 years after the events of the original movie, with the Black Flame Candle resurrecting Winifred (Bette Midler), Mary (Kathy Najimy), and Sarah Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker) for revenge on Salem. While their main opponents in 1993’s Hocus Pocus were Max Dennison (Omri Katz), his little sister Dani (Thora Birch), and his love interest Allison (Vinessa Shaw), the Sanderson Sisters are taking on Salem teenagers Becca, Izzy, and Cassie in the sequel.

Hocus Pocus 2’s cast and characters primarily consist of new additions, although the three sisters, the zombie Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones), and Book are back. The key characters who are not returning for the 2022 Disney+ sequel are Max, Dani, Allison, and Thackery Binx. At the end of Hocus Pocus, Max, Dani, and Allison were successful in turning the witches back into dusk at sunrise, meaning the soul of the 300-year-old boy-turned-cat Thackery Binx was finally able to rest. While Binx isn’t back in Hocus Pocus 2, his legacy isn’t entirely forgotten.

Related: Hocus Pocus 2 Flashback Makes The Sanderson Sisters Even Worse Villains

Max, Dani, and Allison, however, don’t have any impact on Hocus Pocus 2. None of the three original characters return for cameos, with director Anne Fletcher citing their absence as due to difficulties in organically integrating them into the story. Dani Dennison actress Thora Birch was approached to reprise her character in a supporting role for Hocus Pocus 2, but the plan was reportedly scrapped due to scheduling conflicts. Fletcher (via EW) explained that bringing back Max and Allison would have made it hard for Hocus Pocus 2 to stay on track while exploring so many new figures and storylines, with quick cameos also being decided against. Fletcher’s reason for not including the Hocus Pocus characters in cameos was based on the notion that a short scene or background appearance wouldn’t be satisfying enough when considering how important they were to the original movie, which she felt would inevitably anger fans of the 1993 venture. Instead, Hocus Pocus 2 chooses to highlight the new teens and the Sanderson Sisters-obsessed magic shop owner Gilbert (Sam Richardson).

Can Max, Dani & Allison Return For Hocus Pocus 3?

Dani, Allison, and Max at the Sanderson house in Hocus Pocus

Since Max, Dani, and Allison aren’t part of Hocus Pocus 2, it’s unclear where they are during Disney’s 2022 Halloween movie. It seems the original Hocus Pocus characters are no longer living in Salem, otherwise, there’s no reason why they wouldn’t have recognized the three Sanderson Sisters and helped the new teens battle them again. As such, bringing them back into the fold for Hocus Pocus 3 wouldn’t be as organic. Additionally, Max, Dani, and Allison deserve to continue their lives without the threat of the witches after the horrors they experienced on Halloween night, 1993.

Although another sequel to Hocus Pocus has yet to be announced, Disney always knows how to find a way to bring back iconic characters for more adventures. Since the original plan for Hocus Pocus 2 was going to involve Dani returning to help out the sequel’s three main teens, it seems Disney wouldn’t be averse to having her appear in another movie. It’s unclear whether Max and Allison’s actors would be invited back considering neither was contacted to return for Hocus Pocus 2, but the book sequel already outlined a story involving their teenage daughter taking on the Sanderson Sisters. If Hocus Pocus 3 happens on Disney+, the Dennisons could return for round two against the witches.