Hayden Panet­tiere, who starred in the tele­vision series 'Heroes' and 'Nashville,' dies at 36 - Spectrum News

The 1993 film Hocus Pocus has become a popular Halloween movie in the decades since it was first released. Directed by Kenny Ortega, it centers on Max Dennison (Omri Katz), who summons three witches (played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) who have been in purgatory for more than 300 years. However, it could have had a very different male lead: an actor little known at the time, but who would go on to become one of the biggest film stars of his era, Leonardo DiCaprio. Here's a look at how the future Oscar winner was almost cast in this early '90s movie. A Rising Star's Big BreakBecause the character of Max is a teenager in the movie, the filmmakers and studio looked at a number of young actors with promising careers when considering who would play the role. DiCaprio had drawn attention for being cast in his theatrical film debut opposite Robert De Niro in Michael Caton-Jones' This Boy's Life, and his ability to land a role in which he was sharing scenes with an actor as revered as De Niro naturally impressed people. He was therefore asked to audition for the male lead in Hocus Pocus too.

Marvel Studios’ release of Avengers: Endgame: Encore was a shrewd gambit for a few reasons: It put the studio’s most successful film back in conversation right after the juggernaut success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day; it tided die-hards over with new footage ahead of December’s Avengers: Doomsday; and, perhaps most importantly, it raked in an additional $138 million for the film, reinstating its position as the worldwide box office champion over James Cameron’s Avatar. Cameron, who certainly doesn’t spend his precious time fretting about such matters as lifetime financial grosses and being the best in the world at stuff, recently expressed his congratulations to Marvel for once again overtaking his 2009 sci-fi film. “You are one of the people,” the director wrote (per The Wrap) in a composite image from Avatar, with Iron Man at the center of a welcoming Na’vi tribe. “Congratulations to Marvel and the #1 Avengers: Endgame: Encore for bringing moviegoers to the cinemas! – Jim Cameron.”

John Alexander Greer III, age 44, passed away suddenly on October 12, 2026. Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick to John Alexander Greer II, Shelley Ann Greer, ( Stewart Allan), John lived his life devoted to caring for those he loved. Above all, John’s greatest joy was being a father to his sons, Jonathan and Nathaniel. He was a hero to his brothers, Jobi James and Jermey Dale Greer, and a loving partner to his fiancée, Samantha Vernon. Possessing a heart of gold, John brought warmth to everyone around him and found his ultimate freedom riding his motorcycles on the open road. He is reunited in rest with his late grandparents, Fred and Gladys Ramsey, and John Greer I and Shirley Gould