Hocus Pocus has been a longstanding Halloween tradition for our family for years. In fact so much though, that in October of 2020 my nieces and nephew dressed up Hocus Pocus style. It took just a little less than 2 hours of make-up but Sarah, Winifred, and Billy are ready to go collect children and maybe some candy too. I can’t wait to see them again this Halloween!
Hocus Pocus 2 in Production 11/1/21
Production on the live-action comedy “Hocus Pocus 2,” the haunting sequel to Disney’s Halloween cult classic, is underway in Rhode Island. The Disney+ original film directed by Anne Fletcher (“Dumplin,’” “The Proposal”) will debut exclusively on Disney+ in Fall 2022.
Bette Midler (“The First Wives Club,” “Beaches”), Sarah Jessica Parker (“Sex and the City,” “Divorce”), and Kathy Najimy (“Sister Act,” “Younger”) star as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, the delightfully wicked Sanderson sisters who bewitched audiences in the 1993 film “Hocus Pocus.” Doug Jones (“The Shape of Water,” “What We Do in the Shadows”) also returns as Billy Butcherson. Joining them are Whitney Peak (“Gossip Girl,” “Molly’s Game”) as Becca, Lilia Buckingham (“Dirt,” “Crown Lake”) as Cassie, and Belissa Escobedo (“American Horror Stories,” “The Baker and the Beauty”) as Izzy, three young women in present-day Salem who incite the wrath of the three witches.
It’s been 29 years since someone lit the Black Flame Candle and resurrected the 17th-century sisters who were 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 before midnight on All Hallow’s Eve.
“I am beyond thrilled to be involved in the sequel to a film that is as beloved as ‘Hocus Pocus,’” says director Anne Fletcher. “Fans around the world have embraced these characters and have made this film a Halloween tradition whose popularity continues to grow, and how lucky am I to be back at Disney with these three extraordinarily talented ladies in the iconic roles they created, as well as our fabulous new additions to the cast?”
“Hocus Pocus 2” is written by Jen D’Angelo (“Happy Together,” “Workaholics”) and produced by Lynn Harris (“King Richard,” “The Shallows”), with Adam Shankman (“Disenchanted,” “Hairspray”), Ralph Winter (“Hocus Pocus,” “X-Men” franchise) and David Kirschner (“Hocus Pocus,” “Chucky”) serving as executive producers.
Rounding out the cast are recent Emmy® winner Hannah Waddingham (“Ted Lasso,” “Game of Thrones”), Tony Hale (“Veep,” “Arrested Development”), Sam Richardson (“The Tomorrow War,” “Good Boys”), Juju Brener (“Vanquish”), Froy Gutierrez (“Teen Wolf”), Taylor Paige Henderson and Nina Kitchen.
The cult classic Halloween film “Hocus Pocus” is now streaming on Disney+
Announcement of Hocus Pocus 2
BURBANK, Calif. (May 20, 2021) – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy will reprise their roles as the delightfully wicked Sanderson Sisters in the live-action comedy “Hocus Pocus 2,” the spooky sequel to Disney’s 1993 Halloween cult classic “Hocus Pocus.” The film will premiere exclusively on Disney+ in 2022.
Singer/actress Bette Midler (“The First Wives Club,” “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. In “Hocus Pocus 2,” 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 fall under the direction of Anne Fletcher (“The Proposal,” “27 Dresses”), who is taking over directing responsibilities from her friend and colleague Adam Shankman (“Hairspray,” “The Wedding Planner”), with Lynn Harris (“The Shallows”) serving as producer. 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”). Steven Haft (“Tigerland”) is co-producer.
Fletcher and Shankman first met in 1990 when they were both dancers for the Academy Awards® broadcast. Shankman went on to hire her as his assistant choreographer, working together on over 100 different jobs. Fletcher’s first directing gig was in 2006 on “Step Up,” which Shankman produced.
“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 executive producer 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.’”
“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.”
About Disney+
Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more. As part of Disney’s Media & Entertainment Distribution segment, Disney+ is available on most internet-connected devices and offers commercial-free programming with a variety of original feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. Alongside unprecedented access to Disney’s incredible library of film and television entertainment, the service is also the exclusive streaming home for the latest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. Disney+ is available as part of a bundle offer that gives subscribers access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+. Visit DisneyPlus.com to subscribe and/or learn more about the service.
The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook
Celebrate it coming with picking up a copy of The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook is a must-have for all fans of the 1993 cult classic movie and cookbook lovers everywhere. It features recipes inspired by the film, as well as insights into its making, and interviews with cast and crew.
Now, as you plan your annual viewing of the family favorite flick, you can also conjure up your own spooky treats and bewitching drinks to celebrate Halloween. Whether you’re attending a surprise rave in town or just spending “a quiet evening at home,” you’ll enchant anyone who tastes these frightfully appetizing recipes, including:
Now, as you plan your annual viewing of the family favorite flick, you can also conjure up your own spooky treats and bewitching drinks to celebrate Halloween. Whether you’re attending a surprise rave in town or just spending “a quiet evening at home,” you’ll enchant anyone who tastes these frightfully appetizing recipes, including:
Baked Witch Casserole
Bones of 100 Chickens
William’s Wormy Bed Dirt Cake
Dead Man’s Toes, Dead Man’s Toes
Brown Butter Booooook
Blondies Burning Rain of Death Punch
Airhead Virgin Mocktail
And many more!
The Unofficial Hocus Pocus Cookbook is the ultimate must have for fans of all ages—but don’t worry, no children were harmed in the testing of these recipes.
About the Author
Bridget Thoreson is a writer and booklover based in Brooklyn, New York. Her other books include XOXO: A Cocktail Book and consulting for Are You My Wine? Clearly, Bridget is very interested in drinking, eating, and pop culture.
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