For decades, devoted fans have been asking about a follow-up to Disney’s cult classic Halloween film, Hocus Pocus. Now, after years of rumors, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved family film is finally officially happening. And yes, all the original witchy Sanderson sisters are riding back in on their broomsticks in Hocus Pocus 2. Not to mention some other familiar faces.
Here’s everything we know about the Disney+ sequel, Hocus Pocus 2.
Title
As far as we know from all official sources from Disney, the title for the film is just Hocus Pocus 2. Hopefully they come up with a more creative name closer to release. (How is “ Amok, amok, amok!” not in the title)? But for now, it’s just a very basic Hocus Pocus 2.
Hocus Pocus 2‘s Plot
According to a Disney+ press release, Hocus Pocus 2 takes place “29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters, executed for practicing witchcraft. And they are looking for revenge. Now it is up to three high school students to figure out how to stop the ravenous witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on Salem. All before dawn on All Hallow’s Eve.”
From the sound of things, it sounds like the plot doesn’t stray too far from the ideas in the original 1993 movie. Honestly, no one wants them to reinvent the wheel for this one.
We also now have our first teaser trailer for the movie. The Sanderson sisters are back and that means trouble.
In addition to whatever the Sanderson sisters will get up to, we’ll also go back in time to explore their origin stories. Yes, we’ll see the Sanderson sisters as children in the 1600s before they were witches. And we’ll also see more Billy Butcherson and maybe even Thackery Binx, although we’re not sure how the latter will appear yet.
Director Anne Fletcher reveals that the movie will begin with a flashback. Fletcher shares with Entertainment Weekly:
The opening sequence of the movie, we get some history of our witches and Billy. We get a little kiss — pardon the pun — of the Billy aspect of it and the world that they lived in and what happened to the witches. I always missed that in the first one. Like, what are the witches the way they are?I did have that question, and the script came, and I loved the opening 1600s. I pushed that a little bit more, because I really wanted to point at, ever so slightly…. the idea that the 1600s and the now are the same. There’s no difference. I just want to poke at the irony of it. But, in the joy of the film you get to see the young version of them and have a great time and understand the what and why of what happened to them.”
Fletcher notes that the Sanderson sisters aren’t witches in the beginning and that their origin story mixes in with Hocus Pocus 2‘s modern-day trio of teens. And, in fact, it seems like each teen mirrors a witch. Billy is also back in the present-day, but rest assured, he’s still his sweet zombie self. He even has a bromance with Gilbert, who owns the Salem Magic Shoppe.
Finally, Thackery Binx may also return to the world of Hocus Pocus in some way. Although Fletcher won’t explain how exactly, since we know James Marsden will not reprise his role. Fletcher notes there are “no talking cats” in the movie. But offers, “We’re having some fun with him [Binx], so, we’ll see.” Well, we certainly hope Binx will be back in some fashion. We can’t wait to hear more about how this story unfolds.
Behind the Scenes
Jen D’Angelo (Workaholics) has written the screenplay for Hocus Pocus 2, with Anne Fletcher directing. Fletcher is a choreographer with decades of film work, with films such as Boogie Nights and Hairspray on her resume. She’s also directed movies like Step Up and The Proposal. Fletcher replaced her longtime friend Adam Shankman, who was originally set to direct. But commitments to the Disney+ sequel Disenchanted forced him to give up the reigns. Filming is taking place in Newport, Rhode Island.
Hocus Pocus 2‘s Cast
All three original sisters are back. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are reprising their roles as Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson, Sarah Sanderson, and Mary Sanderson, respectively.
Also coming back is fantasy and sci-fi legend Doug Jones as their undead lackey, Billy Butcherson. Long before he was in Guillermo Del Toro’s films or on Star Trek: Discovery, Jones got his start in the original Hocus Pocus.
Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, and Belissa Escobedo also star in the film as three teens in modern-day Salem who make enemies of the Sanderson Sisters. Other cast members include Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, Hannah Waddingham, and Froy Gutierrez. No word yet if the original film star Omri Katz, who played Max, will make a cameo.
Entertainment Weekly confirmed that actress Thora Birch was supposed to have a supporting role as an adult Dani but she could not be in the film due to other work obligations at the time. That’s pretty sad but there’s a bit of exciting news in the fray: RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Ginger Minj will appear as a drag version of Winifred. Her appearance will come in a scene where the Sanderson Sisters somehow end up in a drag show.
Hocus Pocus 2′s Release Date
The release date for Hocus Pocus 2 has now been officially revealed. According to Entertainment Weekly, Disney announced the date during its 2022 upfronts presentation. Hocus Pocus 2 will release on September 30, a bit earlier than the show’s expected October arrival.
Filming on the movie officially wrapped in January, per producer Adam Shankman.
Halloween really does start earlier and earlier every year. And we can’t wait for it to come around again, the Sanderson Sisters in tow.
Originally published on January 31, 2022.
