The NeverEnding Story continues to live on, four decades later.
Warner Bros. released director Wolfgang Petersen‘s epic fantasy film on July 20, 1984. Based on author Michael Ende’s German-language novel of the same name, the movie centered on an isolated boy named Bastian Bux (played by Barret Oliver) who is transported to a fantasy world through a mysterious book. Bastian encounters warrior Atreyu (Noah Hathaway) and the Childlike Empress (Tami Stronach) and must help them save their world from the Nothing, thanks to some help from the Luck Dragon Falkor.
A modest box office performer domestically but beloved in Petersen’s native Germany, The NeverEnding Story became a cult hit that spawned two sequels, and a feature reboot is in development. The film’s three child leads remain largely known for this film, but Stronach — who turned to a career in modern dance — has returned to feature acting for the first time in 40 years with Man and Witch, a family-friendly fantasy film that was released in select theaters in July.
During separate conversations with The Hollywood Reporter, Stronach and casting director Penny Perry recall the unlikely circumstances that led to then-10-year-old actress landing the role. The actress also shares her favorite memories from the shoot, explains why she turned down the 1990 sequel and gives her thoughts on See-Saw Films having recently landed the rights to make a planned film series.
Tami Stronach and Barret Oliver in The NeverEnding Story.
Courtesy Everett Collection
What first comes to mind when you think back on The NeverEnding Story?
Penny Perry (casting director): I think about Wolfgang [Petersen], who was just a really wonderful man. Very, very sensitive. He treated the kids so well that they did their best performances, and he had a lot of fun with them. He told me that the reason he made this movie is that he wanted to make something that his grandchildren could see.
Tami Stronach (actress, Childlike Empress): I can’t believe The NeverEnding Story is still in people’s hearts, that it still matters so much to people. I feel so honored to have been part of something that has had this sticking power, and I don’t think anyone can predict that. Maybe having a Luck Dragon in your film helps you with that.
Director Wolfgang Petersen with the racing snail on the set of The NeverEnding Story.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Penny, which roles did you cast?
Perry: It was Barret Oliver, who played Bastian, and Noah Hathaway, who played Atreyu. I also did a search for the Childlike Empress, and we found Tami. She was in a dancing group out of San Francisco, and she came in. She had never acted before, and she was just breathtakingly beautiful. And I put in Gerald McCraney, who played Barret’s father, and also the bullies.
Stronach: I was in an acting class in San Francisco, and my acting teacher was friends with the casting director and one of the producers, so they were planning to have a lunch date. She saw the tail end of my class and asked if I would audition. I fell in love with the material instantly. Then there was another audition in L.A. and a final one in Germany.
Were there any particular challenges to approaching the film?
Perry: I had cast a lot of movies with kids in it, so I think that’s why Wolfgang came to me. The challenges were what I always have when I have kids: You get their parents. (Laughs.) The biggest challenge.
Did you see a lot of child actors for the roles?
Perry: There were a lot of kids considered. Barret had this vulnerable, lovely quality, and I put him in another movie right after that, Cocoon. Noah had this worldly aura about him, and that’s why he was so perfect for Atreyu. Looking for the Empress was the hardest. We found Tami toward the end. She has a quality that’s very difficult to find.
Noah Hathaway in The NeverEnding Story.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Tami, do you remember favorite moments from production?
Stronach: I really loved just being in the rooms where the sculptors and the puppeteers were making things. Barret loved to play with little action figurines. He was a quintessential little boy, very introverted. If I wanted to play with him, it was figurine day. (Laughs.) Noah was just very physical. He loved to run and climb and swim.
Was the team seeking child actors with industry experience?
Perry: No. Wolfgang likes to work with real kids, so we were looking for people who had an essence of that character, and Tami didn’t have any bad child actor habits. But it’s really interesting that Barret is not acting anymore, and Noah’s on the other side, in the crew. I don’t think Tami has been doing [much in the business]. So all three of the kids never went much further.
Is that a surprise?
Perry: It was a surprise. I thought that Barret and Noah were really, really talented kids. Tami wasn’t really experienced, and we actually hired her because of her beauty. So I didn’t know what was going to happen with her. She had never done anything before, and her parents were pretty protective about her, so I wasn’t surprised.
Tami, did you consider returning for the sequel?
Stronach: They did ask me to be in the sequel, and we said no. (Laughs.) My parents really wanted to prioritize me having a normal childhood and felt strongly that if I wanted to pursue this path, it should be something that I chose to do as a young person in my 20s. I totally respect that decision, and I’m not sorry at all for my years of dancing.
What was Wolfgang Petersen like as a director?
Stronach: I really have very fond memories of Wolfgang Petersen. I wrote to him when I was trying to decide if I should go into dance or acting in my 20s. He was like, “Come to L.A., and I’ll help you.” I decided to go do modern dance.
Do you rewatch the film?
Stronach: I did show particular moments to my daughter when she turned 8, and that was really fun. I can’t watch the horse scene. I go get popcorn.
What are your thoughts on the planned film reboot?
Stronach: There was a huge bidding war in Hollywood and in markets abroad. I just thought it would never happen. I have so many people that I speak with who love The NeverEnding Story, who tell me that no one should touch it, that it’s a travesty. But I really don’t agree. The whole point of it is to inspire creativity and to make sure that every person keeps the kid and the dreamer in them alive. Retelling stories feels like a natural extension of that.