‘Tis Time!’ Everything We Know So Far About ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

Credit: Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

‘Tis Time!’ Everything We Know So Far About ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

I put a spell on you! Nearly three decades after Hocus Pocus premiered in 1993, fans continue to watch the Halloween classic on repeat — and can't wait for more. In the original movie, Max (Omri Katz) lights the black flame candle, bringing Winnifred Sanderson (Bette Midler) and her sisters, Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy), back to life. Luckily, Max is successful in defeating the Sanderson sisters on their mission to suck the lives out of all the children in Salem in hopes of becoming younger and living forever. His plan is only successful, however, thanks to the help of his sister, Dani (Thora Birch), new flame Allison (Vinessa Shaw) and cat Thackery Binx (voiced by Jason Marsden). The Halloween favorite also starred Sean Murray as the human Thackery and Doug Jones as zombie Billy Butcherson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idc0EOmKr30 Over the years, the cast has teased a possible second film, with Midler exclusively telling Us Weekly in October 2019, “I heard it’s going to be fabulous.” The Beaches star then joked, “I hope they hire me because I want to fly again in the worst way.” Parker explained in May 2020 that she and fellow costars Midler and Najimy were “hospitable to the idea” of reprising their witch roles in the future. “I think for a long time, people were talking about it as if people were moving forward with it in a real way but we were unaware of it,” the Sex and the City actress told Bruce Bozz on Sirius XM’s Quarantined with Bruce at the time. “I think now we’ve gotten to the point where we all, like, agreed publicly to the right people, [saying], ‘Yes! That would be a very, very fun idea.’ So, we’ll see. We’ll see what the future holds.” [jwplayer sVIuvMgB-zhNYySv2] After the actresses reunited in October 2020 in support of the New York Restoration Project, fans were even more determined to get a new movie from the ladies. In May 2021, Disney+ announced the official return of the Sanderson sisters for the upcoming film, Hocus Pocus 2. “Sistaaaahs! It's been 300 years... But we’re BACK! 🧹 #HocusPocus2 arrives Fall 2022 on @DisneyPlus,” Midler confirmed via Instagram at the time. Five months later, Shaw revealed where she thinks her character Allison and love interest Max would be now, hinting that they could come back for the sequel. “I feel like she and Max are still together, but I think Allison’s from Salem and he always wants to be in California,” she told Entertainment Tonight in October 2021. “I think they did some sort of compromise and maybe she’s in Salem when the witches come back, you know, visiting her mom or something.” Scroll down to see what we know about the second Hocus Pocus film: [podcast_block]

Credit: Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

‘Tis Time!’ Everything We Know So Far About ‘Hocus Pocus 2’

I put a spell on you! Nearly three decades after Hocus Pocus premiered in 1993, fans continue to watch the Halloween classic on repeat — and can't wait for more. In the original movie, Max (Omri Katz) lights the black flame candle, bringing Winnifred Sanderson (Bette Midler) and her sisters, Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy), back to life. Luckily, Max is successful in defeating the Sanderson sisters on their mission to suck the lives out of all the children in Salem in hopes of becoming younger and living forever. His plan is only successful, however, thanks to the help of his sister, Dani (Thora Birch), new flame Allison (Vinessa Shaw) and cat Thackery Binx (voiced by Jason Marsden). The Halloween favorite also starred Sean Murray as the human Thackery and Doug Jones as zombie Billy Butcherson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idc0EOmKr30 Over the years, the cast has teased a possible second film, with Midler exclusively telling Us Weekly in October 2019, “I heard it’s going to be fabulous.” The Beaches star then joked, “I hope they hire me because I want to fly again in the worst way.” Parker explained in May 2020 that she and fellow costars Midler and Najimy were “hospitable to the idea” of reprising their witch roles in the future. “I think for a long time, people were talking about it as if people were moving forward with it in a real way but we were unaware of it,” the Sex and the City actress told Bruce Bozz on Sirius XM’s Quarantined with Bruce at the time. “I think now we’ve gotten to the point where we all, like, agreed publicly to the right people, [saying], ‘Yes! That would be a very, very fun idea.’ So, we’ll see. We’ll see what the future holds.” [jwplayer sVIuvMgB-zhNYySv2] After the actresses reunited in October 2020 in support of the New York Restoration Project, fans were even more determined to get a new movie from the ladies. In May 2021, Disney+ announced the official return of the Sanderson sisters for the upcoming film, Hocus Pocus 2. “Sistaaaahs! It's been 300 years... But we’re BACK! 🧹 #HocusPocus2 arrives Fall 2022 on @DisneyPlus,” Midler confirmed via Instagram at the time. Five months later, Shaw revealed where she thinks her character Allison and love interest Max would be now, hinting that they could come back for the sequel. “I feel like she and Max are still together, but I think Allison’s from Salem and he always wants to be in California,” she told Entertainment Tonight in October 2021. “I think they did some sort of compromise and maybe she’s in Salem when the witches come back, you know, visiting her mom or something.” Scroll down to see what we know about the second Hocus Pocus film: [podcast_block]

Credit: Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Sanderson Sisters Are Back!

Disney+ announced in May 2021 that Midler, Parker and Najimy would be reprising their roles as Winnifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, respectively, in the Halloween-themed sequel.

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What’s the Plot?

“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,” the logline reads.

Credit: Ryan Miller/Shutterstock

Adam Shankman Isn’t Directing

Due to scheduling conflicts, the original Hocus Pocus 2 director won’t be working on the new project. Instead, the network announced in May 2021 that Anne Fletcher will be taking the helm.

“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,” Shankman said in a statement at the time. “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.”

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Thora Birch Would Make a Cameo

“2022 will be ‘Mah-velous!’” Birch tweeted in May 2021, hinting at a possible cameo for her character Dani.

The actress previously told HollywoodLife in February 2020 that “if they would have me,” she would happily come back in some capacity. “They’ve been talking about this reboot for five years. I’m excited to see what it all looks like,” Birch said at the time. “I know a little bit about a couple of ideas for stories, but I don’t know where it’s all going to fall at the end of the day.”

Entertainment Weekly reported in March 2022 that Birch would not be making a cameo despite being offered a chance to come back. The outlet pointed to scheduling conflicts as the reason she passed.

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Vinessa Shaw Wants In

“I haven’t heard anything,” Shaw, who played Allison, told Entertainment Tonight in October 2021 of whether she’s been asked to come back for the sequel. “I know, it’s so disappointing [to hear]. I would love to do the sequel. It would be so much fun. I think there’s just a different storyline with younger people, but why can’t we all come back in some way?”

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Filming Is Underway

The film’s crew was spotted at the La Salle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island, in October 2021. Eagle-eyed fans also pointed out that Lincoln, Rhode Island’s Chase Farm park has been turned into a 1670s New England village for shooting.

Credit: Shutterstock (2)

New Cast Members Running Amok

The streaming platform revealed a slate of star-studded cast members who were joining the sequel. Per an October 2021 Twitter announcement, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, Hannah Waddingham, Belissa Escobedo, Doug Jones, Juju Brener, Froy Gutierrez, Taylor Henderson, and Nina Kitchen had booked roles in the project.

Credit: ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock; Courtesy Sarah Jessica Parker/Instagram

Sarah Sanderson Is Back in Action

“Hair and makeup test on HP2. First day,” Parker said via her Instagram Story in November 2021, alongside a video of her character’s face makeup. “Where is Sarah? There’s a piece of Sarah!” she joked while showing off the witch’s long, blonde wig.

The Sex and the City alum also shared a video of the fall foliage in what appeared to be Rhode Island.

Credit: Disney Plus

First Look

On November 12, Disney Plus shared the first photo of the three witches back in costume and looking spookier than ever on the set of Hocus Pocus 2.

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Filming Is Complete

“THAT’S A WRAP!!!!” Midler wrote via Twitter in January 2022 alongside a pin of the iconic witches looking at a spell book.

Credit: Courtesy of Adam Shankman/Instagram

A Halloween Premiere

Shankman teased the sequel’s release date via Instagram in January 2022 while celebrating the film’s conclusion.

“SISTAAAAAHHHHSSS! Aaaaand that’s a WRAP!!! #hocuspocus2 Congratulations to the amazing team @bettemidler @sarahjessicaparker @kathynajimy @567and8 @mrsleshem and the WHOOOOLLLEEEE cast and crew,” the movie producer captioned his social media post. “Coming to you #halloween #2022 on @disneyplus.”

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A Musical Spell

Parker teased during a February 2022 appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen that she will be teaming up with Midler and Najimy for another musical performance in the new film.

"Yes, there will be a number! Of course there will be a number — a number or two," she quipped, noting that shooting the sequel was “amazing and funny.”

The trio previously wowed fans with “I Put a Spell on You” in the original movie.

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Ginger Ming Will Make a Cameo

A source confirmed to Us in March 2022 that Ginger Minj, Kornbread Jetè and Kahmora Hall will be the drag versions of the Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus 2.

Credit: Evan Agostini/AP/Shutterstock

The Hints Keep Coming

“We’re back! I can’t give you more than that,” Parker teased to Vogue while walking the 2022 Met Gala red carpet in May. The actress noted that the Sanderson sisters “think they’ve won this time and they still enjoy a musical number.”

Credit: Snap/Shutterstock

When Will It Air?

During the May 2022 Disney upfront presentation, it was officially announced that Hocus Pocus 2 will premiere on Disney+ on September 30, 2022. "Lock up your children!" Midler teased in a clip that played during the event. "Yes, Salem, we're back!"

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The Trailer

Disney+ dropped the first official trailer on June 28, 2022.

"Lock up your children," Midler's character, Winifred, declares after the Black Flame Candle is lit by Peak and Escobedo. "Yes, Salem, we're back!"

Credit: Alex Berliner/BEI/Shutterstock

Where’s Thackery Binx?

Jason Marsden, who originally voiced the cat version of the character, will not be back for the sequel, Entertainment Weekly reported in June 2022. It has yet to be confirmed as to whether Thackery — human or feline — will be back in any capacity in the Halloween flick.

Credit: YouTube

Omri Katz And Vinessa Shaw Not Returning for 'Hocus Pocus 2'

In addition to Marsden, director Flecther confirmed that two more OGs — Katz and Shaw — would not be making an appearance in the second film. 

"We wanted to weave in all of the people that the fans loved, and when you sat back with all the ingredients and story, you're like, how do we make this work?" the filmmaker told Entertainment Tonight in August 2022. 

"It was very difficult to try to have them be a part of it, because we did talk about it — painstakingly," she continued. "You're trying to stay on track with story, even if they came in as a cameo. People would say, 'They could be in the background!' and I'm like, really? You're going to put the leads of the first movie in the background and be satisfied? You're not going to be satisfied, you're going to be angry."

Credit: Disney/Kobal/Shutterstock

Omri Katz Reacts to Not Being Asked to Return

"People have been asking, and unfortunately, I'm not in it. I would have loved to be involved," Katz told Entertainment Weekly via his representative in August 2022. "I feel bad for the original fan base saying we aren't because I'm sure they wanted to see us reprise our roles."

The former actor, however, still praised Fletcher and the studio for "trying to attract a new fan base" for the project. 

"I think it'll be good for everyone who loved the original!" he concluded. "I hope fans will go see it. I know I will."

Credit: Vianney Le Caer/Invision/AP/Shutterstock

The Trailer

“Amuck, amuck, Amuck!” Parker cackles in the trailer released by Disney+ in September 2022.

The teaser, which features Winifred, Sarah and Mary on the hunt for children's souls, gives a first look at Hannah Waddingham’s mysterious character The Witch, as well as the return of Jones’ Billy. 

Credit: Matt Kennedy/Disney+

Will There Be More?

"I feel like we're done. We've pulled every story you could pull out of this. I guess, never say never, but I feel grateful that we got to do it again," Najimy told Entertainment Weekly about the franchise's future in September 2022. "I don't know that there are plans for a third one, but I know fans are dedicated to this film. I'm just happy we can bring this to them."

Parker, for her part, wouldn't mind an animated return, adding, "That would be cool and a smart idea. It's fun, funny, and could be interesting and innovative, like old-fashioned or new [animation]."

Midler added: "After 30 years with no sequel to Hocus Pocus, I've always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once. The fact that we got to do this finally, after 30 years of promoting the idea, I'm glad we got to do it. I'd love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing. If there was a third one, of course I'd sign on, but I don't know how."

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What Does the OG Cast Think of the Film?

While Birch told Entertainment Tonight in September 2022 that she was “dismayed” she didn't have a role in the sequel, the Now and Then star confirmed that she would have been “on set with the girls” if she hadn’t been “working on something else when they were filming,” noting that she was highly anticipating the film’s release.

“I can’t wait to see what they do with it,” she gushed. “I know they’re taking a completely different, fresh approach, so I’m excited.”