Will There Be A Hocus Pocus Sequel?
Well, it’s finally official: Disney is working on a Hocus Pocus TV movie. The original Disney film is a cult classic and a Halloween standby. According to Deadline, the TV movie, currently in the early stages of development, will be a “re-imagining” of the original; David Kirschner, a producer from the original, will executive produce. But Scarlett Lacey will replace original screenwriters Neil Cuthbert and Mick Garris. And original director Kenny Ortega will be absent as well.
Rumors of a remake or sequel have been bubbling for what feels like forever. Garris hinted to Forbes in an interview recently that Disney Channel might be considering a remake. Which perhaps prompted the official confirmation. We have to wonder why the film is being recast. Considering the number of times the original trio has confirmed that they would be interested in reprising their roles. It’s hard to imagine Hocus Pocus without the original Sanderson sisters.
In an interview with Forbes about the business of film, original writer Mick Garris shared his thoughts on the growing appeal of the movie that has a special place in a lot of our hearts. A movie that has become a part of many families’ memories and traditions, especially around Halloween:
“It’s amazing to be a part of something that has become a perennial. It was a hugely successful movie when it came out, it was only modestly successful. I wrote the first eight years earlier but it was when it turned out that Bette Midler was interested and wanted to do it. She was at a very high time in her career. That it got put on the fast track and it started happening again. Now it has become an annual thing at the El Capitan on Hollywood Boulevard and the show is sold out.”
“Generation after generation. It’s kind of remarkable and fantastic to have something brought to the screen like that. And to have it embraced generation after generation. Everybody I meet, it’s either their daughters or their own favourite movie and it’s incredibly exciting.”
“There have been rumours of a Hocus Pocus sequel for the last 10 years that will not die. I have heard they are developing the script. I haven’t been involved in it. But I think there will be a sequel it might be for Disney Channel or Freeform or ABC. I think it will be for television but I hear that it is moving ahead.”
So there you have it! It’s looking like Hocus Pocus 2 is going to be an original TV movie!
