‘Hocus Pocus' Fans, You're Not Ready for This Sequel News

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Don't put those Sanderson sisters costumes in storage just yet. Fans of the 1993 cult classic Hocus Pocus had to wait nearly 30 years for Disney to re-conjure the wicked siblings, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker, for a 21st-century sequel. But the wait for the next chapter will not be nearly so long. It's official: Hocus Pocus 3 is in the works.

Walt Disney Pictures president Sean Bailey confirmed the news earlier this week. "Yes, Hocus Pocus 3 is happening," he divulged in a New York Times interview. Of course, that news is not too surprising considering that when the hugely popular Hocus Pocus 2 premiered on Disney+ in October 2022, it proved itself as the streaming service's number one film premiere domestically to date.

We don't have details yet about the Hocus Pocus 3 release date or cast, but prospects seem good that the franchise's three biggest stars might again reprise their roles as Winifred, Mary, and Sarah Sanderson… even if they don't see how the story might expand further.

In September, when Entertainment Weekly asked the trio about a possible third installment, Najimy (who plays Mary) said, "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."

Parker, for her part, said she would be in for a third round if her two co-stars were, while Midler gave a definitive yes: "If there was a third one, of course I'd sign on, but I don't know how. I can't imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship."

Will more of your favorite characters from the Hocus Pocus original cast return in the upcoming movie? Mark that one down in the maybe column.

While the original Sanderson sisters returned in the first sequel, as did Doug Jones as Winifred's undead ex Billy Butcherson, the three young heroes from first movie did not: little Dani (Thora Birch), her teen brother Max ( Omri Katz) , and their friend Allison (Vinessa Shaw).

Though Birch reportedly was excited about the first sequel and early scripts included her as a teacher, other commitments kept her out of Hocus Pocus 2. So it's possible she could return for the third chapter.

As for Katz and Shaw, director Anne Fletcher told EW "it was difficult to work them" into the script for Hocus Pocus 2. However, at the sequel's New York premiere last September, screenwriter Jen D’Angelo seemed to be already thinking about the pair's return down the road: "I’m hoping in Hocus Pocus 3, we’ll see Max and Alison living in California," she told Variety.

Next big question: Will Home Depot restock that Hocus Pocus Sanderson sisters inflatable for Halloween this year? No news yet, you better believe we have our eyes peeled.

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