It’s tempting to pin this one on the much-anticipated Practical Magic 2, but technically Hocus Pocus 2 got there first in 2022, and now the witchy 1990s nostalgia trend will continue. After being previously hinted at in the wake of the Disney+ sequel’s success, Hocus Pocus 3 is now officially in the works.
Deadline summoned the scoop on this latest reunion of the Sanderson sisters, scourge of Salem, Massachusetts, but beloved by Halloween fans everywhere. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker would reprise their roles in the project, which is said to be in “early development.”
The buried lede is that this time around, Hocus Pocus 3 would actually release in theaters instead of being a straight-to-streaming film.
So far there are no details on the story, who might write the screenplay, or who might direct, but we can safely make some guesses at one of those up-in-the-air factors. Going by the previous films, you can assume part three will feature a certain trio of 17th-century witches being revived; part two did reveal the existence of another Black Flame Candle, and there’s surely no shortage of virgins with matches running around. Then, there will be some mad rush to stop the Sandersons from eating children, destroying a town, threatening human existence, or something else equally unpleasant.
Bonus points, of course, if Doug Jones returns once again as Billy Butcherson, everyone’s favorite zombie. And some musical numbers—you’ve got to have those!
What do you think about Hocus Pocus 3? Do you have high hopes, especially considering the big-screen return, or do you think this one’s better left in the graveyard?
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