Childlike Empress from The NeverEnding Story, Tami Stronach, is making a comeback after forty years. The 51-year-old actress is set to star in the 1980s-inspired fantasy movie Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps. Tami, who gained fame for her role as the Childlike Empress in the cult classic film, expressed her love for performing and her excitement about returning to the big screen.
During the filming of The NeverEnding Story, Tami had a great experience working with renowned director Wolfgang Petersen. She appreciated how he treated her as an actor and trusted her understanding of the story. Tami considered it her “happy place” and didn’t fully grasp the significance of her role as a child actor at the time.
However, the aftermath of the film’s popularity brought unexpected challenges for Tami and her family. Unwanted attention from men and inappropriate scripts made them realize that navigating fame and choosing the right projects was difficult. As a non-Hollywood family, they decided to step back from the industry due to the risks and pitfalls associated with child stardom.
One of the most challenging aspects for Tami was dealing with stalkers, which was particularly difficult for her as a young child. Despite the challenges, Tami is now ready to make her return to the spotlight and showcase her talent once again.
The actor, Tami Stronach, opens up about her departure from the industry due to challenging circumstances. As a child, she was offered adult roles that she felt were inappropriate for her. Despite receiving multiple acting offers, Tami chose to pursue theater and dance instead. She eventually formed her own dance company. Tami expresses her desire to return to the big screen on her own terms, which took her a long time to figure out.
Although Tami never returned to the silver screen, her presence among fans of The NeverEnding Story remained strong for the next 40 years. She explains that her goal in life was to be a creative person, which aligns with the theme of the movie. Tami credits the movie for keeping her creative and imaginative spirit alive. She mentions receiving fan letters for four decades, with fans eagerly asking for her return to film. It was the fans’ persistence and love for The NeverEnding Story that convinced her to come back.
Nowadays, Tami regularly attends Comic Cons, where she celebrates her character and connects with longtime fans of the franchise. She describes the experience as being part of a family, and she is moved by the stories fans share with her. Some fans credit the movie for inspiring them to pursue their dreams, such as becoming a doctor. Others express how the story provided a beautiful escape from difficult circumstances. Tami believes these stories highlight the power of storytelling.
The upcoming film, Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps, marks Tami’s return to the screen. She will be starring alongside her husband in this highly anticipated role. The movie features a talented cast, including Christopher Lloyd, Sean Astin, and Jennifer Saunders.
Goonies star Sean Astin lends his voice to the dog in the film “Man and Witch”. In an interview, Astin expresses the importance of good stories in connecting people. Despite it being 40 years since his breakthrough role, Astin still gets recognized by fans who can’t quite place where they know him from. Astin explains that his familiar face often leads people to believe they have met him before. However, when he reveals his identity, they become excited.
Tami Stronach, co-founder of Paper Canoe Company, shares Astin’s passion for storytelling. She believes that stories have the power to bring families together. Stronach’s career has always been rooted in the arts industry. Recently, her involvement in the Netflix series Stranger Things, which featured The NeverEnding Story theme song, reignited her desire to return to the big screen.
The 80s nostalgia wave has swept over Stronach, making her yearn for the fantasy films of that era. She explains that she misses the enchanting movies that were prevalent during that time. Films like Willow and Labyrinth have become timeless classics in the fantasy genre. Stronach recalls a moment when she heard The NeverEnding Story theme song while watching Stranger Things and coincidentally discovered a giant Falkor painting near her home. This synchronicity convinced her that now is the perfect time for her comeback.
With her husband Greg Steinbruner’s script in hand, Stronach is determined to carve her own path in the industry. She feels empowered and ready to take on new challenges. Stronach acknowledges that someone has given her the opportunity to shine, and she is grateful for it.
Giovanni Pernice makes his big screen debut in the film Man and Witch. This nostalgic movie brings back the hyper-unrealistic fairytale plots and eccentric characters that we all love from the old fantasy genre. The story revolves around a lonely goatherder who discovers that he is cursed and will never find true love unless he completes three impossible tasks set by a reclusive witch. Tami and Greg play the lead roles, while the rest of the ensemble cast is filled with familiar faces from the 80s and 90s film and TV industry. Sean Astin, Christopher Lloyd, Jennifer Saunders, Suzy Eddie Izzard, and Pauline McLynn all lend their voices to various characters in the film.
Tami’s daughter Maya also has a role in the movie, making her own film debut. The premiere of Man and Witch had an impressive turnout, with the playlist curated by none other than Hollywood legend Elijah Wood. Tami credits her husband for pulling in many talented individuals to work on the project. The script was praised by famous personalities for its poetic quality and for being a refreshing departure from algorithm-driven or committee-written projects. The film is a heartfelt story that has touched the hearts of many involved.
For Tami, this film is a full circle moment. She is still in awe of the incredible ensemble cast and is grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented individuals. As for her own journey, Tami is determined to continue making art, sharing it with others, and inspiring them to embrace their imagination. Man and Witch is just the beginning for her.
