Rumors of a sequel to the 1993 cult classic Halloween film Hocus Pocus swirled for the better part of a decade. Over those years, star Bette Midler was often right in the mix with fans in pushing for the sequel and at one point made it clear she wouldn’t be interested in anything less than a true follow-up, refusing to take part in a remake of the original in 2017. Finally, in October of 2019, Hocus Pocus 2 got the green light at Disney, and a year later Midler, along with co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, were on board to reprise their roles as the Sanderson sisters.
According to Midler, however, despite how well-loved the original film is and all the rumors, speculation and fan support for a sequel, she wasn’t so sure that Hocus Pocus 2 would ever really happen. During the global press conference held following the film’s premiere, Midler admitted she didn’t truly believe the day would come when the sequel would come together.
I didn’t until the day finally came. And then I realized, oh, we’re really gonna do this. This was kind of a dream come true, it really was. I mean, I’ve been, I don’t want to say, agitating but kind of like after I realized it was actually a phenomenon, I started asking people around my age and people like that, don’t you think they would be interested in a sequel? This was a long time ago. This was like 15 years ago, something like that. So here we are.
Bette Midler
Midler’s passion for the project certainly kept a potential sequel from dying in development hell. And given the film’s ending and post-credit scene, it’s possible that Hocus Pocus 2 won’t be the last film in what could well become a Disney Halloween franchise.
Hocus Pocus 2 is now streaming on Disney Plus.
