Hocus Pocus 2 has finished filming, therefore the (hopefully brief) wait for the first trailer has begun.
The Sanderson Sisters return to Salem, Massachusetts to wreak havoc in the sequel, which arrives almost thirty years after the original film. Despite the lack of a particular release date, there are indications that it may come on Disney’s streaming service on Halloween.
In Hocus Pocus 2, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy reprise their classic roles. While we are still awaiting the release of a trailer, we have been afforded a first glance at the returning sisters as well as a brief peek of them in action.
Adam Shankman was originally slated to direct the sequel, but due to schedule conflicts (caused by Shankman’s work on the Disenchanted sequel), Anne Fletcher assumed the helm (The Proposal, 21 Dresses). Shankman will carry on as an executive producer, while Jen D’Angelo has written the screenplay.
The filming of the sequel concluded in late January 2022, therefore, barring any unforeseen delays, everything appears to be on schedule for its release later this year as anticipated by Disney.
We cannot wait to see what the Sanderson Sisters have in store for us in Hocus Pocus 2, so here is all you need to know.
Hocus Pocus 2 Potential Release Date: When Is It Released?
We believe that a particular release date has not yet been established. Initially, it was suggested that the sequel will be released in the fall of 2022 after a tweet by Midler “Sistaaaahs! Since 300 years ago… However, WE’RE BACK! #HocusPocus2 will premiere in the Fall of 2022.”
Since then, however, Shankman has limited the release timeframe by writing on Instagram that Hocus Pocus 2 will be “coming to you this Halloween in 2022.” Whether this suggests that it is indeed October 31 (a appropriate date) or that Halloween weekend is unknown.
For the real end date, please go to this location. The production of the sequel began on October 18, 2021 in Rhode Island and concluded in late January 2022. Now, all we can do is wait for Hocus Pocus 2, but you can always rewatch the original film on Disney+ to fill the witchy-shaped void in your life.
Hocus Pocus 2 Plot: What Will it be About?
Along with the official announcement in May 2021, we received the first storyline elements regarding the sequel.
It reads, “Three young ladies unwittingly summon the Sanderson Sisters back to modern-day Salem and must stop the child-hungry witches from spreading a new type of havoc on the globe.”
This sounds a bit like the novel sequel published in July 2018 about Max and Allison’s daughter Poppy, her best friend Travis, and a girl named Isabella on whom Poppy has a crush.
To please Isabella, Poppy sneaks inside the Sanderson residence during a blood moon and inadvertently resurrects the sisters. It is unknown whether this is precisely what will occur in the movie’s sequel, therefore it may end up being non-canon.The original film concluded with the magic book blinking, indicating that it is still alive and the witches could return…
Even if we may not know much more about the sequel, the fact that its returning stars have praised it is sufficient. Midler stated in November 2020, “After reading the script, I believe we all agreed that it was quite good.”
Not to worry, Hocus Pocus 2 will also include a musical number. In the initial film, the sisters sing “I Cast a Spell on You.” It remains to be seen what the song in the sequel will be, and there may be more than one.
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Hocus Pocus 2 Cast: Who’s in Hocus Pocus 2?
Bette Midler essentially announced in October 2020 that she and Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy would return for the sequel as Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson, respectively.
We had to wait until May 2021 for an official statement that the trio will return as the witchy trio, but the film could not have existed without them.
Unfortunately, we do not anticipate Thora Birch to reprise her role as Dani Dennison due to schedule problems. We are still unsure if Omri Katz and Vinessa Shaw will reprise their roles as Max and Allison.
In March 2022, Katz addressed the return of the original cast members: “Speaking with a large number of fans today, it’s clear that many are quite dissatisfied that we’re not involved. However, I may be lying. Everyone is in it! No, perhaps we are not. Perhaps we are!”
Sam Richardson, who starred in Veep, will appear in the sequel, although we do not yet know what role he will play. He has been teasing that he enjoys Hocus Pocus as much as the rest of us.
“To work with the girls is to step outside of myself,” he told ET. “I am thinking, “This is them!” I have a grin on my face as I observe the Sanderson Sisters performing their spells.”
Disney announced more new cast members on Halloween, including Richardson’s Veep co-star Tony Hale, Ted Lasso, and Game of Thrones’ Hannah Waddingham, both of whom will play unknown characters.
Waddingham is being tight-lipped about her involvement, although it is evident that, like Richardson, she is an avid admirer of Hocus Pocus.
“When I arrived in Rhode Island for my fitting, the second assistant director stated, “All the ladies would like to meet you.” In all honesty, my jaw fell. I joined them while they sat in their costumes. Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, and the formidable SJP, among others “she said to Variety
“And I sat there with them while they took their lunch break in full attire. It felt like a competition in which I would be required to leave the room and then pay someone £1,000 or whatever.”
According to set images, Hale appears to be playing Salem mayor Jefry Traske, but Disney has not yet confirmed this.
Doug Jones will reprise his role as Billy Butcherson, and Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, and Belissa Escobedo will play Becca, Cassie, and Izzy, respectively, three teenagers who become the Sanderson Sisters’ target.
On the last day of production for Peak and Escobedo, Buckingham uploaded an Instagram snapshot of the cast on set, which provided the first glimpse at the trio. “These past four months have been among the craziest and most extraordinary of my whole life,” she wrote.
“I’m still amazed that I had the opportunity to observe and learn from everyone on this set. And thank you to Whit and Bel for becoming my sisters. I have learned more from you two than you could possibly imagine. Until next time, witches. You are in for a wild ride.”
Juju Brener, Froy Gutierrez, Taylor Henderson, and Nina Kitchen complete the cast, however their roles have not been specified.
In addition, three RuPaul’s Drag Race queens will portray the Sanderson Sisters in drag. Sarah, Mary, and Winifred Sanderson are played by Kahmora Hall, Kornbread ‘The Snack’ Jeté, and Ginger Minj, respectively.
Hocus Pocus 2 Trailer: When Will We See It?
We estimate that it will be a few months before a Hocus Pocus 2 trailer is released, despite the fact that filming is complete.
Disney+’s 2022 teaser contained at least one second of film, so you could watch it on repeat for now.
In the fall of 2022, Hocus Pocus 2 will launch exclusively on Disney+. On Disney+, it is possible to watch Hocus Pocus.