Kenny Ortega, who directed the 1993 cult favourite, will not be involved with the new project – and neither will its original Sanderson sisters: Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker.
There has long been rumors that the original would get a sequel, with since-debunked reports in 2014 claiming that Tina Fey had signed on to produce.
Middler has previously expressed interest in returning to her role of Winifred Sanderson. During a Reddit AMA in Nov. 2014, the singer-actress encouraged fans to “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.”
In fall of last year, Parker expressed excitement at the idea of reuniting with her evil Salem witch sisters someday. “I would love that,” the Sex and the City star said on Watch What Happens Live. “I think we’ve all been fairly vocal about being very keen but that hasn’t created any ground swell of movement.”
And while fans dreams for the return of the Sanderson sisters have been answered, many on the Internet were not thrilled at the prospect of a totally new cast.
“Disney channel is rebooting Remaking “hocus pocus” good luck finding an actor that can fill the shoes of @BetteMidler,” wrote one Twitter user.
Not everyone is disappointed, though. Wrote one fan: “Best news ever! BEST NEWS EVAA!”
This article originally appeared on PEOPLE