Hocus Pocus wasn't a major hit when it was released in the halcyon days of 1993. However, as the generation that grew up with it aged, they began to look back on the movie more and more fondly. Today the movie has a cult status and gets trotted out every Halloween to fill out Disney's programming block on Freeform.
There have been rumblings that a sequel, or potentially a remake, could be in the cards for Hocus Pocus before, but nothing has ever come of it. However, it looks like those fans who want to see the Sanderson Sisters again may have their chance, as work is reportedly moving forward on a Hocus Pocus sequel at Disney+ that will include the original cast.
Collider is reporting that Jen D’Angelo, writer and producer on TV series Workaholics and Happy Together, has been handed script writing duties by Disney for a Hocus Pocus sequel that will go directly to the studio's upcoming streaming service. The only detail that's apparently known about what the movie itself will actually be is that it will include the characters of Winifred, Sarah, and Mary, played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, respectively. The studio wants the original actors back to reprise the roles.
If you thought you'd heard all this before, that's because you have. Back in 2017 there was a report that Hocus Pocus 2 was being set up as a movie on the Disney Channel, but that movie, as it was understood, was going to introduce a new cast of characters and it didn't seem there were any plans to include the original actresses. There was also another version of the project that was maybe or maybe not being spearheaded by Tina Fey back in 2016. Either way, that also fizzled out.
Bette Midler voiced her displeasure at the idea of the TV movie and a lot of fans did as well. For whatever the reason, the backlash or simply the fact that no story could be settled on, the movie never happened. One sequel idea that did make it into reality came in book form (you can pick it up here if you missed it).
What's unclear at this point is if the new Hocus Pocus will be about the original Sanderson Sisters, or simply include them in some smaller capacity. This could be a situation similar to the recent Star Wars trilogy, where the original actors appear, but as mentors for a new cast of main characters. All three of the actresses have made it clear they're more than willing to return for a sequel, so it seems likely getting them on board won't be a problem, but none of them are officially attached to the project as of now.
With the fact that this movie has been here before, this is certainly no guarantee that Hocus Pocus 2 will actually happen. Having said that, Disney+ was never a factor in the previous attempts, and that might be the thing that makes it all happen this time. The new streaming service needs original content in order to entice subscriptions and a movie like this, that has been in demand for some time, is just the sort of thing people might be willing to spend money on to see.
