While the 1993 film Hocus Pocus was no box office hit, its cultural impact over the past two decades is undeniable.
It gained cult status between the 90s kids who watched it on video, and the cosplayers and drag performers who have kept the three Sanderson sisters alive over the years.
And now, finally, after the occasional gentle public nudge from its starring cast, and legions of fans across the internet, we’re getting a sequel.
Here’s everything we know about the film, which will drop this coming spooky season.
How will Hocus Pocus 2 be different from the original?
Like most good sequels, we’re kind of expecting this one to be not too much different from the original film – a ‘spiritual reboot’ if you will.
While it was Omri Katz as Max Dennison who awoke the sisters and then made sure they were turned to dust 20 years ago, this time it looks like it will be teenage girl Becca and her friends, who have some spooky plans around her 16th birthday, including casting spells in the woods.
We’re also guessing the new version will have another iconic musical number, an homage to the vaudeville performance of I Put a Spell on You’ from the original.
“They think they’ve won this time,” returning cast member Sarah Jessica Parker told media at the Met Gala. “And they still enjoy a musical number.”
Who will star in Hocus Pocus 2?
All three of the original Sanderson sisters have jumped on board, meaning we will see Bette Middler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy reprise their roles as Sarah, Winifred, and Mary Sanderson – the three who originally terrorised the residents of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1993.
We’ll also see the return of Doug Jones, who will be back as Billy Butcherson, the boyfriend of Winifred who was resurrected as a zombie in the first film.
Beyond the returning cast, we have some new teenage protagonists as well. Whitney Peak, best known for her role in the Gossip Girl reboot, will star as Becca, who seems to have a few magical powers of her own. Lilia Buckingham and Belissa Escobedo will be joining her to round out the trio of teens, who we assume will be going toe to toe with the Sandersons.
And on a strange note we didn’t expect, Hannah Waddingham, of Ted Lasso fame, will also be joining the cast, in a role billed as ‘The Witch’. You’ve got our attention!
Where can I watch Hocus Pocus 2?
Hocus Pocus 2 will be dropping on September 30, just in time for Halloween season – and will no doubt inspire many a costume over the following month.
The film will be exclusive to Disney Plus, and will arrive in Australia on the same day as the US.
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