A new photo from Disney's Hocus Pocus 2 shows the Sanderson sisters entering the Mayor of Salem's house. The highly-anticipated sequel comes nearly three decades after the original Hocus Pocus charmed audiences in 1993. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker conjured up magic as the Sanderson sisters, three witches vying to suck the youth from children so they could stay young forever. Both cast members and audiences alike have been wishing for a followup flick to the Halloween cult classic for years.
Disney officially announced Hocus Pocus 2 in 2020, confirming Midler, Najimy, and Parker would return for the sequel. Director Anne Fletcher spearheaded production in 2021, with filming taking place in Rhode Island. Over the course of principal photography, a number of Hocus Pocus 2 set photos and videos were posted online, giving audiences a small taste of what the team has in store. Viewers have awaited a more official look at the followup, and with Disney's 2022 Upfronts presentation taking place, they now have a new image.
Popular Hocus Pocus Instagram account Hocus Pocus Guide shared an image from Hocus Pocus 2 that was released during Disney's Upfronts. It captures the Sanderson sisters in all their whimsical glory. The trio of witches are on a mission, entering the home of Mayor Traske (played by VEEP's Tony Hale). Check out the photo below:
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Based on the fully knocked down door under Winnie's feet, it seems the sisters may have forced entry to the Mayor of Salem's home, though it's difficult to say without much context. This image was part of a big push for the sequel at Disney's Upfronts, as the studio also screened Hocus Pocus 2 footage during the presentation. Hale's Mayor Traske appeared in the sizzle reel, so it will be interesting to see how he fits into the story. Perhaps as other marketing materials come out in the build-up to release, Disney will shed more light on the Mayor's role and what the Sanderson sisters are up to this time around.
Hocus Pocus 2 secured a September 2022 release date, making it a major part of Disney+'s programming lineup for the second half of the year. That the studio spent time highlighting the movie during Upfronts speaks to their excitement and confidence in the project, hoping it will deliver a fun and worthwhile followup to the original Halloween classic. The Upfronts presentation was in all likelihood a precursor to a more proper marketing campaign, which would include additional official images and a full trailer for the genera public. It's unknown when those could make their way online, but with only a handful of months to go until Hocus Pocus 2 hits Disney+, it will probably be in the near future. Until then, teases like this will continue to generate hype for the sequel.
Source: Hocus Pocus Guide
