Hocus Pocus (1993 film) made to the script to make the film more comedic and made two of its young protagonists into teenagers; however, production was stalled several times until 1992, when Bette Midler expressed interest in the script and the project immediately went forward. Midler, who plays the central antagonist of the film (originally written for Cloris Leachman), is quoted as saying that "Hocus Pocus" "was the most fun I'd had in my career up to that point". Leonardo DiCaprio was originally offered the lead role of Max, but declined it in order to pursue "What's Eating Gilbert Grape". Principal photography began on
Bette Midler Gallagher Levi, continuing through January 2018, in the Broadway revival of "Hello, Dolly!" for which she won her second Tony Award. In 2017 she also appeared in the role of Muv in the 2017 film "Freak Show". On April 20, 2018 it was announced that Midler will be returning to "Hello, Dolly!" on July 17 to close out the run of the successful revival. In 1991, Midler was an early sponsor of the Adopt-a-Highway, paying $2,000 a month for a crew to clean up a 2-mile section of the Ventura Freeway in Burbank, California. Signs at both ends of the