Hocus Pocus star Bette Midler opened up about her hopes for the upcoming sequel, Hocus Pocus 2. The original movie released on July 16, 1993. While it wasn't a big hit at the time, only ranking fourth at the box office in its opening weekend, Hocus Pocus has become a Halloween staple over the years. The film follows the new kid in town Max Dennison (Omri Katz) after he awakens the Sanderson Sisters on Halloween night. He and his sister Dani (Thora Birch) must stop the sisters before they wreak havoc on their town.
Considering the movie's cult status, it's no wonder Disney's planning a sequel, which will release on Disney+. Adam Shankman will direct, with Midler stating in early October she was in talks to return. She further discussed Hocus Pocus 2 while promoting her Halloween charity event, which featured a Sanderson Sisters reunion. Midler explained her co-stars, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, are on board, although this has yet to be officially confirmed by Disney.
Recently, Midler spoke with People about who else may be back for Hocus Pocus 2. She stated not only is it important to have familiar faces on-screen but behind the scenes as well to recreate the magic of the original film:
We're trying to see who's available and who's still out there and still working and who can come back ... a lot of the success of what we did on that picture had to do with the team that was surrounded, had to do with the team that they assembled to make that picture, the people who did the flying and the rigging, the people who did the green screens, the people who did the ... I don't think they called it the green screen in those days. The people who did the hair and makeup, which were all exemplary, the costumers, and the special effects people.
Midler is not the only one hoping for the returns of as much of the original Hocus Pocus team as possible. Many fans would agree the movie's creatives would have to come back in order to recreate the magic. Those who love the first film have a real passion for it. Many fans have dressed up as the characters and even visited the sites where the movie was filmed. Most people don't think of Halloween entertainment without Hocus Pocus coming to mind, and that's due to everyone who worked on the original film.
Fans have anticipated a Hocus Pocus sequel ever since the first was released. Of all the revivals, remakes, reboots, and sequels that are in the works at Disney, Hocus Pocus 2 is one of the most sensible. Despite the years that have passed since the original came out, it remains a fan favorite. The movie has had a place on the Halloween circuit for a long time, so it only makes sense Disney wants to continue the story. Hopefully, the company can do what Midler is hoping for and gather as much of the original cast and crew as possible for the Hocus Pocus sequel.
Source: People