The ‘Hocus Pocus’ Zombie Actor Improvised His Most Iconic Line From the Movie
The sisters are coming back—Disney is working on a Hocus Pocus 2 with the original Sanderson Sisters Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker. The 1993 Hocus Pocus movie was known as a sleeper hit. But fans don’t understand why since it’s now a cult classic. One of Hocus Pocus’ most underrated characters was Billy, the zombie.
The Hocus Pocus cast added to the originality with their comedic timing and style. And the actor who played Billy Butcherson brought his charisma to the role. Did fans know he improvised his most outstanding line?
Who played Billy, the zombie?
Although Billy is only in half of Hocus Pocus, the actor affected the audience more than expected. Billy’s disgruntled behavior toward his former lady, Winnie Sanderson, sprinkles a new flavor into the cauldron. While fans think the Sandersons are hilarious, many also find Billy Butcherson an underrated comic.
When he rises from the grave, Billy doesn’t expect to see Winnie. When he does, the audience chuckles at Billy’s annoyance.
The actor who played Billy is Doug Jones.
Jones wasn’t a newcomer to makeup and prosthetics. He has appeared in countless films, but audiences don’t recognize his face. This is because he plays inhuman, fantasy creatures. After Hocus Pocus, Jones appeared in 2004’s Hellboy as Abe. And one of his most prominent roles was the “Amphibian Man” in The Shape of Water.
However, Jones hasn’t let go of his horror roots. The actor starred in Crimson Peak, The Bye Bye Man, and Ouiji: Origin of Evil. Not only is Jones an actor, but he is also a contortionist and mime artist.
What line did he improvise?
In an interview with E! News, the Hocus Pocus cast revealed some on-set secrets. Jones said he “threw in” an unwritten line toward the end of the movie. As Max, Dani, Allison, and Binx face-off with the Sandersons, Billy unexpectedly saves them. But he loudly insults Winnie first.
“There was a rewrite. I rewrote what I said on the day because the original script had me cutting my mouth open, coughing out all the dust and moths, and looking at Midler, and saying ‘B****!’ That’s all it was. and I felt like, hm, Disney kids’ film. This is where I need to prove to the kids that I’m on their team, that I’m a good guy. I’d like this moment to play out a bit differently if I could. So I suggested, what you see in the movie, ‘Wench! Trollop! You bucktooth mop-riding firefly from Hell!’
Will Billy the zombie be back for ‘Hocus Pocus 2’?
Fans rejoiced when Bette Midler announced she was working on Hocus Pocus 2. She confirmed the news on Twitter, writing “Sistaaaahs! It’s been 300 years. But we’re back! #HocusPocus2 arrives Fall 2022 on Disney+.”
Viewers speculate whether anyone else from the original cast will return. However, Disney has not confirmed anything. If they resurrect Billy again, fans would prefer Jones to reprise the role.
The only other actor that could return is Thora Birch, who played Dani. She tweeted a GIF of Winifred Sanderson and teased, “2022 will be mah-velous!” Nevertheless, Disney didn’t include her name in the cast details.
Fall 2022 can’t come any sooner. So fans will be singing “I Put a Spell On You” to pass the time.
