Yes it’s the news that’s been rumoured for many years: Hocus Pocus, 1993’s spectacularly spooky family movie, will definitely be getting a sequel – named Hocus Pocus 2, the central cast of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy will reprise their roles as the delightfully wicked Sanderson Sisters and yes we will be spending the next year in a hyper state of excitement!
Singer/actress Bette Midler (Beaches) returns as Winifred Sanderson, with Sarah Jessica Parker (Sex and the City) and Kathy Najimy (Sister Act) back as her sisters, Sarah and Mary, respectively.
This won’t be the first time the Sanderson sisters have reunited to put a spell on us. Midler, Parker and Kathy Najimy got together just year for Midler’s annual Hulaween fundraising event, benefiting the New York Restoration Project.
Check out the performance here…
Hocus Pocus 2 will see three young women accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters back to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world.
Hocus Pocus 2 will begin production this autumn under the direction of Anne Fletcher (The Proposal), who is taking over directing responsibilities from her friend and colleague Adam Shankman (Hairspray), with Lynn Harris (The Shallows) serving as producer.
“Now more than ever, people need to laugh. We should be laughing every day, and there is so much fun to be had with these three unbelievable women playing delicious characters from such a beloved film,” says director Anne Fletcher. “I am so grateful to be able to play a part in bringing these witches back to life, and to be working with my friends at Disney again makes it all the more special. This is a movie for everyone, from the fans who grew up with the first film to the next generation of viewers, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Shankman is currently in production on Disenchanted for the studio, which he is directing, but will remain on this project as an executive producer along with Ralph Winter (Adrift) and David Kirschner (Curse of Chucky).
“As heartbroken as I am that I won’t be able to direct my friends Bette, Sarah Jessica and Kathy in what is sure to be nothing short of a major event for Disney+ due to scheduling conflicts, I couldn’t be more pleased to be handing over the reins to Anne, who has brought so much laughter and joy into people’s lives with her previous work,” says Adam Shankman. “I am still grateful and proud to help shepherd this ingenious project as executive producer alongside producer Lynn Harris, whom I have loved and admired as a colleague and friend since she helped get me the job choreographing Boogie Nights.”
Hocus Pocus 2 will premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2022. Re-live the classic original with our interview with Hocus Pocus stars Thora Birch and Doug Jones here.
