Disney+ has revealed a first-look image for “Hocus Pocus 2,” the sequel to Disney’s Halloween cult classic, which will premiere Fall 2022 exclusively on Disney+. It’ll be a while before there’s a trailer of course, but based on the new image it certainly looks like fans of the 1993 original have nothing to worry about.
Check it out here:
On Halloween 2021, Walt Disney Studios revealed that“Ted Lasso” star Hannah Waddingham and “The Mysterious Benedict Society” star Tony Hale would be joining the cast of the “Hocus Pocus” sequel.
The film also features newcomers including “Gossip Girl” star Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Sam Richardson, Juju Brener, Froy Gutierrez, Taylor Henderson and Nina Kitchen.
“Hocus Pocus 2” began production this fall under the direction of Anne Fletcher (“The Proposal,” “27 Dresses”), who took over for friend and colleague Adam Shankman (“Hairspray,” “The Wedding Planner”), with Lynn Harris (“The Shallows”) serving as producer. Shankman is currently in production on “Disenchanted” for the studio, which he is directing, but will remain on this project as an executive producer along with Ralph Winter (“Adrift”) and David Kirschner (“Curse of Chucky”). Steven Haft (“Tigerland”) is co-producer.
“Hocus Pocus” was released in 1993, starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy as Sarah, Winifred and Mary Sanderson. The witchy sisters are brought back to life after their 1693 execution with the help of a young boy named Max Dennison (Omri Katz) who has just moved to their long past hometown of Salem. 300 years after getting cursed, Dennison, his sister and the boy’s love interest help resurrect the trio of witches. The film wasn’t a box office success and only earned $39 million worldwide, but it became a staple on cable and a touchstone for millennial kids.
Jones played Billy Butcherson in “Hocus Pocus,” a former paramour of both Winifred Sanderson (Midler) and Sarah Sanderson (Parker). He was caught cheating on the former with the latter. At this point, Max Dennison himself — originally played by Omri Katz — has not been confirmed for “Hocus Pocus 2,” nor have Thora Birch or Vinessa Shaw, who played Dani and Allison respectively in the original “Hocus Pocus.”