Collider reports that a sequel to the 1993 cult classic Hocus Pocus is in development at Disney+ with Workaholics writer and co-producer Jen D’Angelo.
Kenny Ortega (High School Musical film series; Descendants film series) directed the original Hocus Pocus. The film starred Bette Midler as Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson, Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson and Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson. The trio were witches resurrected by a teenage boy named Max Dennison (Omri Katz) in Salem, Massachusetts. Rounding up the cast included Thora Birch, Vinessa Shaw, Sean Murray, Jason Marsden and Doug Jones.
According to Collider’s sources, D’Angelo was tasked by Disney to find a way to bring back the original trio of witches played by Midler, Sanderson and Parker. All three actresses are not currently attached to the Hocus Pocus sequel, but sources claim that Disney hopes that they would return in some capacity. Whether or not they would be at the center of the sequel’s story or if they’d be supporting players for a new generation of witches remains to be seen.
Disney’s original Hocus Pocus hit theaters on July 16, 1993. The film wasn’t a box office success and grossed $39.5 million on a budget of $28 million, losing Disney around $16.5 million. Despite its underperformance at the box office, Hocus Pocus became a cult hit and enjoys continuous airings on both the Disney Channel and Freeform, particularly during the month of October in honor of Halloween.
Do you think a Hocus Pocus sequel would work out well today after all these years? Would you like to see the original trio of witches reprise their roles in some capacity? Sound off in the comments below, and be sure to continue following Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news on the Hocus Pocus sequel and other upcoming projects from Disney+.
Hocus Pocus will be one of many films available to stream on Disney+, which launches on November 12.
Source: Collider
