Details about the long-awaited Hocus Pocus sequel have been released.
For years, there’s been a will-they-or-won’t-they mentality surrounding a possible follow-up to the beloved ‘90s Disney film. Fans have been asking for a sequel for some time but one has never happened for reasons unknown.
However, we’re getting details that might mean Hocus Pocus 2 is indeed happening and soon. According to an exclusive March 4 report from Variety, sources close to the project offered fans positive signs a sequel is currently in the works, albeit in the early stages.
Adam Shankman will direct ‘Hocus Pocus 2’, sources say
Sources told the outlet, Adam Shankman has signed on to direct Hocus Pocus 2. The 55-year-old has a background in musical theater and dance. He served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance for eight seasons.
Shankman’s body of work spans dramas, romantic comedies, and musicals. Some of the movies he’s directed include Hairspray (2007), A Walk to Remember (2002), The Wedding Planner (2001), and What Men Want (2019). As a producer, he’s worked on Step Up (2006) and Premonition (2007) and 17 Again (2009), among others.
Currently, Shankman’s working on another Disney sequel, the follow-up to 2007’s Enchanted starring Amy Adams called Disenchanted. The outlet reported it hasn’t been determined which film, Hocus Pocus 2 or Disenchanted, will begin production first.
It’s important to note the report that Hocus Pocus 2 will be directed by Shankman is again, from sources and hasn’t been confirmed by Disney.
According to Collider in an exclusive report published in Oct. 2019, Jen D’Angelo, who wrote and co-produced Comedy Central’s series, Workaholics, has been hired to write the script.
Sources say ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ will premiere on Disney +
Don’t expect a theatrical release for Hocus Pocus 2. That means fans who might’ve seen the original at their local movie theater when Hocus Pocus premiered in 1993 — to less than spellbinding box office numbers -will instead have access to the sequel from home.
Sources said Hocus Pocus 2 will debut on Disney +, the streaming service The Walt. Disney Co. launched in Nov. 2019. It comes as no surprise considering Disney began pulling the majority of its content from other streaming platforms ahead of Disney +’s debut.
Just as we have to the news that Shankman will be directing Hocus Pocus 2 with a grain of salt, the same goes for the report saying it will premiere on Disney+. These are from sources and haven’t been confirmed by Disney or Disney+.
Does ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ have a release date?
Being in the early stages, fans don’t have an exact date when they can expect to see Hocus Pocus 2.
Although, with the original now a cult classic, it makes sense the sequel would premiere sometime in October ahead of or maybe even on Halloween. However, the original hit theaters in July — yes, July — so it’s pretty much anybody’s guess at this point.
Surely, it all comes down to production and the timeline Disney has in mind for the film. If it were to have an October release, it’d certainly be a tight turnaround, some might say near impossible, considering casting still has to be done.
Casting is the biggest thing fans want to know. Specifically, whether or not Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy, and Bette Midler will reprise their roles as the Sanderson sisters. All three have made it clear in the past they’d be more than happy to participate in Hocus Pocus 2 but that isn’t a guarantee. Some reports have said the sequel will follow a younger generation and therefore not include Parker, Najimy, or Midler.
While we wait for more production details to be released we’ll be watching Hocus Pocus on repeat.
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