‘Hocus Pocus’ sequel officially in the works at Disney+
And original stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy could all appear.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
In case the news that Whoopi Goldberg will soon be reprising her iconic Sister Act role on the West End stage wasn’t providing you with enough ’90s nostalgia for one day, Hocus Pocus is reportedly getting a direct sequel courtesy of Disney+.
A follow-up to the 1993 Halloween classic is in the initial stages of development after Disney hired Workaholics writer Jen D’Angelo to pen a script, Collider reports.
The even better news is that D’Angelo is said to have been tasked with finding a way to bring back original stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy for the sequel: welcome news indeed after it was reported in 2017 that a TV movie remake of the original was in the works (something Midler wasted no time in branding “cheap”).
Luckily, Midler, Parker and Najimy have all previously expressed interest in returning to the franchise – in particular Midler, who has been pretty much been campaigning for it online over the last few years.
The 73-year-old star has made no secret of her desire to return to the role of Winnifired ‘Winnie’ Sanderson, telling fans in a 2014 Reddit Q&A that “the ball’s in [Disney’s] court”.
“You have to go to send in your cards to the Walt Disney company,” she said at the time. The ball’s in their court.
“Inundate the Disney company, because I have canvassed the girls and they are willing to do it, but we have no say in it, so if you want a Hocus Pocus 2, ask the Walt Disney company.”
Looks like your spells worked Bette. Bring on the Sanderson Sister reunion!