Photo: EW
This fall, the witches will make a return to bring hell into the world.
Disney has cast a spell on the release for Hocus Pocus 2, as it announced on Tuesday that the film premieres on Disney+ on September 30.
Stars from filmmaker Kenny Ortega’s 1993 original Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy – the evil Sanderson sisters of Salem – have made the reprisal of their characters for the sequel, which viewers got a preview for the first time at Disney’s presentation.
The clip follows two young girls igniting the Black Flame Candle, which requests the presence of the central witches as Midler squeals, “Lock up your children! Yes, Salem, we’re back!”
Afterward, they make a musical performance – an Elton John’s “The Bitch Is Back” cover – while Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones) and an unidentified character portrayed by Sam Richardson also appear. The mayor of Salem (Tony Hale) also appears in the rough-cut footage.
Details about the film’s plot are not revealed, but it has been confirmed that Thora Birch would not make a return as Dani Dennison from the original installment.
News has circulated that RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Ginger Minj, Kornbread “The Snack” Jeté, and Kahmora Hall will portray drag versions of Winifred, Mary, and Sarah, respectively, in a scene that happens at a drag show, in which the Sanderson sisters attend.
Award-winning actress Hannah Waddingham will also play a part in the movie, which allegedly follows three teens – portrayed by Gossip Girl’s Whitney Peak, Dirt’s Lilia Buckingham, and American Horror Stories’ Belissa Escobedo – and their efforts to put an end to the Sanderson sisters’ plot for revenge after their resurrection 29 years following the events of the original film.
“I am beyond thrilled to be involved in the sequel to a film that is as beloved as Hocus Pocus,” said sequel filmmaker Anne Fletcher in a statement last year regarding the forthcoming movie.
“Fans around the world have embraced these characters and have made this film a Halloween tradition whose popularity continues to grow, and how lucky am I to be back at Disney with these three extraordinarily talented ladies in the iconic roles they created, as well as our fabulous new additions to the cast?”
Hocus Pocus 2 airs September 30 on Disney+.
The 1993 Hocus Pocus is a fantasy comedy horror movie written by Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris. It follows the three witches resurrected by a virgin teenage boy on Halloween night.
