But in 1991, if young actors had grown too old to do a direct sequel, recasting was the only option. Such was the strange case of a forgotten fantasy film sequel, which attempted to continue a story that, perhaps, should never have been called The NeverEnding Story. But even those born in the 1980s and who came of age in the 1990s will struggle to remember the sequel, The NeverEnding Story II: The Next Chapter. In a sense, Brandis is better than either Oliver or Hathaway, and as the film opens, you might be convinced you’re watching a family drama, and not a fantasy film. The NeverEnding Story II attempts to adapt the second half of the book, which didn’t make it into the first film.