Just in time for the original film’s 30th anniversary, Disney is developing Hocus Pocus 3.
A third film in the beloved franchise starring Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker as the trio of Salem witches is currently in the works, according to a New York Times interview with Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production.
The article – published on Sunday – noted that Hocus Pocus 3 is one of many projects on Bailey’s future slate, which includes around 50 other titles in various stages of gestation. Announcement follows last year’s big streaming hit Hocus Pocus 2which reunited the central stars 29 years after director Kenny Ortega’s original was released in 1993, and broke streaming records for the Disney+ platform from its debut.
Disney+ The Sanderson sisters return in “Hocus Pocus 2”.
Representatives for Disney and the stars of the films did not immediately respond to EW’s request comment on Hocus Pocus 3. However, in an exclusive interview with EW for Hocus Pocus 2Midler, Parker, and Najimy shared their thoughts on continuing the series for a third film.
“I envy other actors who have franchises, and I was hoping for a sequel to First Women’s Club, but we never had that. After 30 years without sequelae Hocus Pocus, I’ve always been jealous of people who can do their favorite character more than once. The fact that we were finally able to do it, after 30 years of promoting the idea, I’m glad we were able to do it. I would love to have a franchise, especially a character that I love playing,” Midler said at the time. “If there was a third one, of course I would sign, but I don’t know how. I can’t imagine what the story would be like, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary and our relationship. It’s good for women. We stick together through hell and flood, but we cause chaos, and few women cause so much chaos!”
Parker added: “Kathy had a good idea that the third one should be animated. That would be cool and a smart idea. It’s fun, funny and could be interesting and innovative, like old or new [animation]…. Of course I would be happy to have a chat [for a third film]It just depends on what Kathy and Bette want!”
Disney + The original ‘Hocus Pocus’ cast shares their thoughts on Disney’s ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ sequel.
Director Anne Fletcher took over as director Hocus Pocus 2, which again resurrected Midler, Parker, and Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, who returned to terrorize a group of modern-day teenage girls who unwittingly brought them back from the dead on Halloween, and the film ended on an ambiguous note that teased a potential sequel to the upcoming story. Original star Doug Jones also returned for the sequel as zombified Billy Butcherson, although EW exclusively confirmed that other cast members from the first film – including Larry Bagby, Tobias Jelinek, Omri Katz, Vinessa Shaw and Thora Birch — would not reprise their roles in the sequel.
“Who’s to say there has to be continuity in terms of the story? You can create any story. If they were to take the book and turn it into a screenplay, there’s no need for the witches to come back , they can just do whatever they want, and people will be happy to see it regardless,” Katz told EW in 2022, when asked if he might return for a third movie. “Witches are 30 years older, so we need to do this sooner rather than later. We can’t wait another 30 years. Sorry, it’s the truth! I’m sure Bette doesn’t want to do this at the age 98.”
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