A virgin must have lit the black flame candle because the Sanderson sisters are coming back!
Disney is developing a follow up to its 1993 cult classicHocus Pocus —which starredBette Midler,Sarah Jessica Parker, andKathy Najimyas a trio of witches who, after being accidentally resurrected on Halloween, set out to suck the life out of a town of children to undo the curse that sent them away 300 years earlier.
Collider was first to break the news.Varietyalso confirmed.Disney did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
With no stars officially attached, it is not known whether the project will be a direct sequel to the original film or whether it will be a reboot, with a new set of characters. However, the outlet says Disney is hopeful Midler, Parker, and Najimy will be involved in some capacity.
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Hocus Pocuswas a flop at the box office when it was first released, but became a favorite film among families over the years thanks to countless re-airings on television. This year alone, it was scheduled to air a whopping 27 times during Freeform’s annual “31 Nights of Halloween” movie lineup.
There has long been rumors that the original would get a sequel.
Back in 2017, it was reported thatscribe Scarlett Lacey and original producer David Kirschner were developing a remake for the Disney Channel. That project was not meant to have Midler, Parker, and Najimy reprising their roles, to much fan outcry.
“It’s going to be cheap!” Midler told PEOPLE about the project.
Buena Vista/Courtesy Everett Collection
Midler has long expressed interest in returning to her role ofWinifred Sanderson, which she has said many times before is her favorite acting role.
During a Reddit AMA in Nov. 2014, the singer-actress encouraged fans to “inundate the Disney company,”
“I have canvassed the girls and they are willing to do it, but we have no say in it,” said Midler — whohas dressed up for Halloween as Winifred Sanderson sinceand even sang “I Put a Spell on You,” her hit from the movie, on tour. “So if you want aHocus Pocus 2,ask the Walt Disney company.”
In fall of 2016, Parker also expressed excitement at the idea of reuniting with her evil Salem witch sisters someday.
“I would love that,” theSex and the Citystar said onWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. “I think we’ve all been fairly vocal about being very keen but that hasn’t created any ground swell of movement.”
As for Najimy, she was part of the movie’s 25th anniversary celebration last year at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, reuniting withHocus Pocus’original director Kenny Ortega and the film’s other cast members Omri Katz (Max), Thora Birch (Dani), Doug Jones (the mummy Billy Butcherson), Vinessa Shaw (Allison) and Tobias Jelenik (Ice’s sidekick Jay).
Disney+ is set to debut on Nov. 12.
Just last week, Disney released an epic list of feature films, animated series, and shows planned for the new platform upon launch.
In addition to the beloved content coming in November, Disney+ will also eventually see the launch of several brand-new series, likeWandaVisionfeaturingAvengersstars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany;The Falcon and The Winter Soldierstarring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan; and upcoming reboots ofHome AloneandNight at the Museum.
Plans for the new service were firstannounced in April.Disney+ willcost $6.99 a month or $69.99 a year, and can be bundled with Hulu and ESPN+ subscriptionsfor $12.99 per month.
source: people.com
