Hocus Pocus 2

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Hocus Pocus 2
Hocus Pocus 2 Logo.jpg
Official logo
Directed byAnne Fletcher
Written byJen D'Angelo
Based on
Produced byAdam Shankman
Lynn Harris
David Kirschner
Steven Haft
Starring
CinematographyElliot Davis
Music byJohn Debney
Production
companies
Distributed byDisney+
Release date
  • 2022 (2022)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Hocus Pocus 2 is an upcoming American fantasy comedy film directed by Anne Fletcher, written by Jen D'Angelo and produced by Walt Disney Pictures. A sequel to the 1993 film Hocus Pocus, the film will star Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Doug Jones[1] reprising their roles from the first film.

Discussion on a sequel to Hocus Pocus began by 2014, with several stars expressing interest in reprising their roles in a sequel. A remake of the original film written by Scarlett Lacey was being developed in 2017, though it was undeveloped. A sequel to Hocus Pocus was confirmed to be in development in 2019, with D'Angelo set to write the screenplay. Adam Shankman was hired to direct the film in March 2020 before being replaced by Fletcher in April 2021. Production was scheduled to begin in the middle of 2021, in Salem, Massachusetts, but eventually began on October 18, 2021, in Newport, Rhode Island.

The film is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in 2022 for Halloween.

Premise[]

Twenty-nine years after the events of Hocus Pocus (1993), three high-school students must work together to stop the Sanderson sisters who have returned to present-day Salem.[2]

Cast[]

  • Bette Midler as Winifred "Winnie" Sanderson, the oldest of the three Sanderson sisters.[3]
    • Taylor Paige Henderson as Young Winnie Sanderson.
  • Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, the youngest of the three Sanderson sisters.[3]
    • Juju Brene as Young Sarah Sanderson.
  • Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, the middle sister of Winifred and Sarah.[3]
    • Nina Kitchen as Young Mary Sanderson.
  • Doug Jones as William "Billy" Butcherson, an ex-boyfriend poisoned by Winifred on May 1, 1693, who is brought back to life as a zombie.[4]
  • Whitney Peak as Becca, a high-school student attempting to stop the Sanderson sisters.[2]
  • Lilia Buckingham as Cassie, a high-school student attempting to stop the Sanderson sisters.[2]
  • Belissa Escobedo as Izzy, a high-school student attempting to stop the Sanderson sisters.[2]
  • Tony Hale as Jefry Traske, the mayor of Salem.[5]

Additionally, Sam Richardson, Hannah Waddingham, and Froy Gutierrez, have been cast in undisclosed roles.[4] Ginger Minj, Kornbread Jeté, and Kahmora Hall will portray drag queens impersonating Winnie, Mary, and Sarah.[6][7]

Production[]

Development[]

In July 2014, it was announced that The Walt Disney Company was developing a supernatural-themed film about witches, and that Tina Fey was on board as a producer and star. However, Deadline Hollywood debunked rumors that the film was a sequel to Hocus Pocus.[8] In November 2014, Bette Midler said in an Screen Rant interview that she was ready and willing to return for a sequel as Winnifred Sanderson. She also said her co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy were interested in reprising the roles of Sarah and Mary Sanderson as well, but stressed that Disney had yet to greenlight any sequel, encouraging fans of the original film to persuade Disney to make one.[9] In November 2015, Midler stated in a Facebook Q&A that "after all these years and all the fan demand, I do believe I can stand and firmly say an unequivocal no" in response to a question about a sequel.[10]

In June 2016, actor Doug Jones mentioned that Disney had been considering a sequel, and behind the scenes discussions were in place to possibly continue the series.[11] In October 2016, while promoting her HBO show Divorce, Jessica Parker was asked by Andy Cohen about a sequel. Her response was "I would love that. I think we've been very vocal that we're very keen", yet she insisted that fans should encourage Disney to develop a sequel.[12] In Hocus Pocus in Focus: The Thinking Fan's Guide to Disney's Halloween Classic, author Aaron Wallace identifies several potential approaches for a sequel, but notes that the project's biggest challenge is the Walt Disney Studios' interest in tentpole projects that promise very high box office returns.[13]

In September 2017, Hocus Pocus writer Mick Garris admitted that he was working on a script for Hocus Pocus 2 after years of rumors and speculation and that it would potentially be developed as a television film for Disney Channel, Freeform or ABC.[14] It was later confirmed that it would be instead a remake to air on Freeform, with The Royals writer Scarlett Lacey attached to write and the original film producer David Kirschner executive producing, with original director Kenny Ortega not expected to be involved.[15][16] The following month, Midler said she was not fond of the idea of a remake and she would not be taking part in it regardless she was offered some kind of role or not, expressing doubts on how they would be able to successfully recast her role as Winifred Sanderson.[17]

In February 2018, Jones revealed that there had been talks to do a sequel set twenty years after the original film and that he was approached to be involved on it, though he admitted that he is still interested on reprising his role as Billy Butcherson.[18] In July 2018, a book titled Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel was released, containing a novelization of the film and a sequel story. The sequel focuses on Max and Allison's daughter, Poppy, who grew up hearing the family story of the original film and parents who avoid Halloween as much as possible. Poppy is skeptical of the tale and ends up in the Sanderson house on Halloween, twenty-five years to the day after the movie, in an attempt to prove there's nothing to the story.[19]

In October 2019, a sequel was announced to be in development as a Disney+ exclusive film, with a screenplay written by Jen D'Angelo.[20] In March 2020, Adam Shankman signed on to direct Hocus Pocus 2 concurrently to his work on the Enchanted sequel Disenchanted.[21]

Casting[]

On November 1, 2019, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy expressed interest in reprising their roles as the Sanderson Sisters in the sequel.[22] In September 2020, Midler revealed that she has entered talks to return in the film as Winifred,[23] and in October 2020, she confirmed that she will return alongside Parker and Najimy.[3] In May 2021, it was confirmed that Midler, Parker, and Najimy will reprise their roles as the Sanderson Sisters.[24] In October 2021, it was announced that Taylor Paige Henderson had been cast as one of the three leads.[25] Shortly afterwards, Sam Richardson was reported to be in final negotiations to join the cast in an undisclosed role.[26] That same month, Tony Hale has joined the cast as the mayor of Salem, Jefry Traske.[5] The full supporting cast was confirmed on October 31, 2021, including Hannah Waddingham and the return of Doug Jones, who portrayed William "Billy" Butcherson in the original film.[4][27] In March 2022, it was announced that Thora Birch would not be reprising the role of Dani Dennison from the previous film due to scheduling conflicts with the upcoming Netflix series, Wednesday.[28]

Pre-production[]

On October 29, 2020, Midler stated that a story outline for the sequel has been completed, which she praised as "pretty great" along with Najimy and Jessica Parker.[29] On November 3, Midler revealed that the producers are trying to re-hire several members of the first film's production team that are alive and hadn't retired, as they felt much of the success of the first film came from the work of the behind-the-scenes team.[30] In April 2021, Anne Fletcher replaced Shankman as the director due to his directing duties with Disenchanted, although he will remain as an executive producer on the film.[31]

Filming[]

Production was scheduled to begin in the middle of 2021, in Salem, Massachusetts.[32] In September 2021, sets for Hocus Pocus 2 were confirmed being built at Chase Farms in Lincoln, Rhode Island[33] and Washington Square in Newport, Rhode Island. Filming began on October 18, 2021, in Providence, Rhode Island under the working title Black Flame.[34][35]

Footage was leaked on November 2, 2021.[36] Filming also took place on November 8, 2021, in Newport's Washington Square taking place in a modern Salem, Massachusetts.[37] On December 10, 2021, filming began Federal Hill and was transformed into a Halloween-themed backdrop.[38] In January 2022, Midler took to social media confirming that filming wrapped.[39][40]

Music[]

In October 2021, it was announced that John Debney, the composer of the original film, is set to return to score the sequel.[41]

Release[]

Hocus Pocus 2 is scheduled to be released in 2022 for Halloween, on Disney+.[42]

References[]

  1. ^ Bentz, Adam (November 1, 2021). "Hocus Pocus 2 Confirms The Return Of Billy Butcherson". ScreenRant. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved November 6, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Romano, Nick (November 1, 2021). "We now know what 'Hocus Pocus 2' is about". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved November 2, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d "Official: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimi Will Return For 'Hocus Pocus' Sequel -". thedisinsider.com. October 26, 2020. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved May 23, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c Schwartz, Ryan (October 31, 2021). "Disney+'s Hocus Pocus 2 Sets Fall 2022 Release, Adds Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale and Sam Richardson". TVLine. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  5. ^ a b Shuler, Skyler (October 22, 2021). "Tony Hale to Star in 'Hocus Pocus 2'". thedisinsider.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  6. ^ Nolfi, Joey (March 14, 2022). "Drag Race star Ginger Minj joins Hocus Pocus 2 as drag version of Bette Midler". Entertainment Weekly.
  7. ^ Nolfi, Joey (March 15, 2022). "Drag Race stars Kornbread, Kahmora Hall join Hocus Pocus 2 as drag Mary and Sarah". Entertainment Weekly.
  8. ^ Jen Yamato (July 2, 2014). "Disney, Tina Fey Developing 'Untitled Witch Project' – Not 'Hocus Pocus 2' – Deadline". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  9. ^ Michael Kennedy (November 8, 2014). "Bette Midler & Co-Stars Are Up for 'Hocus Pocus 2'". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  10. ^ "No Hocus Pocus 2 Retrieved November 19, 2015". Facebook. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
  11. ^ "Dream Ninja Turtles Movie Crossovers MOVIE FIGHTS!!". Screen Junkies.
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  13. ^ Wallace, Aaron (2016). "Hocus Pocus in Focus: The Thinking Fan's Guide to Disney's Halloween Classic". Pensive Pen Publishing. Archived from the original on September 25, 2016. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  14. ^ Thompson, Simon (September 26, 2017). "Joe Dante And Mick Garris Talk 'Gremlins,' 'Hocus Pocus' Sequel And 'Nightmare Cinema'". Forbes. Archived from the original on September 28, 2017. Retrieved September 28, 2017.
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  21. ^ Sneider, Jeff (March 4, 2020). "'Hairspray' Helmer Adam Shankman to Direct 'Hocus Pocus 2' for Disney+". Collider. Archived from the original on March 5, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  22. ^ Nolfi, Joey (November 1, 2019). "Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy confirm interest in Hocus Pocus sequel". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved November 2, 2019.
  23. ^ Boon, John (September 30, 2020). "Bette Midler Shares Update on 'Hocus Pocus' Sequel: 'I Can't Wait to Fly Again' (Exclusive)". ET. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved October 1, 2020.
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  25. ^ "Exclusive: 'Earwig and the Witch' Star Taylor Henderson Joins 'Hocus Pocus 2'". thedisinsider.com. October 14, 2021. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
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  39. ^ bettemidler (@BetteMidler) Tweeted. "THAT'S A WRAP!!!!". Twitter. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
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  41. ^ Shuler, Skyler (October 2, 2021). "'Hocus Pocus' Composer John Debney Returning For Sequel". thedisinsider.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021.
  42. ^ Petski, Denise; Grobar, Matt (January 29, 2022). "'Hocus Pocus 2': Producer Adam Shankman Unveils Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 29, 2022. Retrieved January 29, 2022.

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