Where Is The Childlike Empress From The NeverEnding Story Now?

Popular for decades, «The NeverEnding Story» received a fresh round of attention via a segment in the third season of «Stranger Things.» The sequence not only paid homage to «The NeverEnding Story» and pop singer Limahl’s classic song from the film, but it also inspired Tami Stronach and her husband, Greg Steinbruner, to tap into the nostalgia gripping the world and create their own 1980s-inspired fantasy film.

They came up with «Man & Witch,» and in addition to Stronach, the film stars many celebrities who made the 1980s such a memorable decade for the fantasy genre. Stronach and Steinbruner have roles in the film, as do Christopher Lloyd, Sean Astin, Jennifer Saunders, Eddie Izzard, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Rhea Perlman, Michael Emerson, and many more. The couple’s daughter, Maya, also has a part in the movie, making it her feature film debut.

«Man & Witch» includes puppets from The Jim Henson Creature Shop, adding to the overall lo-fi ’80s theme. The film’s production ran into problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but should eventually find its way to theaters. Stronach discussed the film with Variety in 2021, saying it fills a need for nostalgia via «a sense of wonder, and magic, and fun. A fantasy world that feels real. That we can lose ourselves in and return to over and over as a family.»