Preparing to play Nancy Downs took Fairuza Balk to Panpipes Magickal Marketplace, an occult shop in Los Angeles, where she researched the subject and spoke with people who knew it. During filming of The Craft, she bought the shop to save it from closing and being turned into a restaurant.
Casting the film’s 4 leads took roughly 9 months and involved testing about 85 actresses. For director Andrew Fleming, a coffee meeting with Balk settled who should play Nancy, the coven’s volatile, power-hungry leader.
Balk and Rachel True, who played Rochelle, were among the earliest cast members. Angelina Jolie and Scarlett Johansson were also considered during the casting process. Balk was already booked for Basquiat and has said her agents essentially steered her toward The Craft.
Fleming initially thought Balk was already a practicing Pagan. She’s repeatedly explained that her knowledge of witchcraft and the occult came through making the film and researching Nancy. The production also brought in Wiccan consultant Pat Devin to help ground its rituals and language.
Balk’s performance earned her nominations for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress. Their climactic confrontation earned her and Robin Tunney the MTV Movie Award for Best Fight.
