Disney first publicly disclosed its project for a Hocus Pocus sequel back in December 2020 during an event at Disney Investors Day. It was decided that Adam Shankman would wheel behind the cameras of the upcoming film.
In March 2022, Shankman expressed his delight on an Instagram post also verifying the news that he felt “incredibly honored and humbled to be guiding forward these two Disney crown jewel legacies.”
“My only hope is to honor those who came before me and build something new and exciting, as I desperately try to not let down the fans and enchant the new initiates!” he summed up.
The new cast members for Hocus Pocus 2 were announced via Twitter, comprising Tony Hale and Hannah Waddingham.
The black flame candle is alight to the Sanderson sisters’ delight.
Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, & Kathy Najimy shall soon return.
Joined by new faces which you soon will learn.See more of the spellbinding cast in the next tweet.
Enjoy this #Hallowstream treat.👇 pic.twitter.com/DiBAfCHiWX— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) October 31, 2021
Other cast members in the upcoming sequel comprise Belissa Escobedo (Don’t Look Deeper), Sam Richardson (The Tomorrow War), Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl), Lilia Buckingham (Crown Lake), Taylor Henderson, Juju Brener, Froy Gutierrez (Teen Wolf), and Nina Kitchen.
Also joining in Hocus Pocus 2 are the original stars such as Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. Also, Dough Jones will likely return but it’s unknown whether the actor will reprise his role as undead Billy Butcherson.
The much anticipated Hocus Pocus 2 is a sequel to the 1993 family horror classic, “Hocus Pocus”, and plans for a possible sequel was initially announced in 2019 which then officially confirmed at an event in 2020.
A quick official summary of Hocus Pocus 2 explains,“Three young women accidentally bring back the Sanderson Sisters to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world.”
The original film “Hocus Pocus” also centers on an identical tale– witnessing the revived Sanderson sisters causing havoc for the people of Salem.
Hocus Pocus 2 sequel will be penned by Jen D’Angelo, who was also selected by Disney to build a story on how the three sisters– Midler, Parker, and Najimy could be able to portray their roles as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary in the upcoming sequel.
Anne Fletcher replacing Adam Shankman will be on directing duties for the sequel. Fletcher is known for helming ”The Proposal” and ”27 Dresses”. Shankman had to bow out due to conflicting schedules but he will serve as executive producer, alongside Ralph Winter. Meanwhile, serving as producers are Lynn Harris and Steven Haft as a co-producer.
Disney+ declared last Halloween that Hocus Pocus 2 will be released on the streaming service in Fall 2022.
