It seems that Halloween has come early for Hocus Pocus fans as Bette Midler has finally given an exciting update on the third movie in the spooky Disney franchise. Ever since Hocus Pocus 2 landed on Disney+ and became the most streamed movie on the platform, everyone has been asking whether another movie will happen. Now, it looks like the chances of Hocus Pocus 3 happening have just taken flight.
Appearing on Watch What Happens Live, Midler revealed that she has seen a “brilliant” script for the movie, and now everything is being “worked out” to make it happen. She said:
“Well, you know, they sent a script, and a lot of it was brilliant. So I got very excited, and now we’re trying to figure out what it is and where it’s going to be and how much it’s going to cost and all those logistical things.”
Several months ago, Midler expressed an interest in returning to the franchise for one more movie following the success of the 2022 sequel, which put a spell on 2.7 billion minutes’ worth of viewer watch time to become the most watched original Disney+ movie debut ever. However, in the summer, there had been no script produced, and the actress seemed to be just waiting for something happening. She even urged Disney to get a move on, because she wanted to do it “while we’re still breathing.” It looks like someone heard and fast-tracked the project just for her.
‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Could Be a Great End to the Franchise
Hocus Pocus was released in 1993, introducing the world to the Sanderson Sisters and creating an annual Halloween watch in the process. The movie became a cult classic, yet the idea of a sequel was never truly on the cards until the arrival of Disney+. With the House of Mouse searching desperately for content for the streaming platform, Hocus Pocus 2 came to fruition.
Many fans had hoped that they would get to see the sequel on the big screen, but instead it remained a Disney+ exclusive – something that paid off massively. Despite mixed reviews for the belated return of Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, the nostalgic pull was enough to put the movie in line with the original on many fans’ Halloween playlists. That has been proven this year with both movies topping the Disney+ movie chart in the last two weeks as we head into spooky season.
Now, the news from Midler that Hocus Pocus 3 is in development, and also has a script ready to go, will make everyone want to grab their broomsticks and celebrate. It is obviously not known yet who else could be returning for the threequel, but Parker has previously joined Midler in expressing her interest in reprising her role as Sarah, and it would be assumed that Najimy would also be back as Mary. It could also be the chance for some stars of the 1993 movie to also have the chance to come back, after being left out of the sequel.
- Director
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Anne Fletcher
- Writers
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Jen D’Angelo