Hocus Pocus 3: Release date, cast, plot as Disney announces threequel

It appears to be a glorious day for news in the Sandreson sisters household because Disney has confirmed that a third Hocus Pocus movie is in development.

Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, made the exciting announcement in a profile with the The New York Times on Sunday, where he confirmed Hocus Pocus 3 is in active development.

This comes after the second film in the franchise broke streaming records when it was released on Disney+ in September 2022, almost 30 years after the original film.

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Here is everything that we know so far.

When will Hocus Pocus 3 be coming out?

There is not yet an official releasee date for the third Hocus Pocus film, but this is likely to be revealed in due course.

What will Hocus Pocus 3 be about?

Hocus Pocus 2 saw the Sanderson sisters get brought back to life by several Salem teens, and after the trio wreaked havoc across town together once again Winny cast a spell to increase her magic.

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However the spell goes wrong and makes her sisters fade away, but with the help of the teens she is able to reunite with them. However it appears the trio will be brought back to life in some way once again.

While plot details are likely still locked away inside Winifred's spell book, that hasn't stopped the movie's writer, Jen D'Angelo, from sharing some ideas about where she'd like to see the sisters go next. Although, even she admits that it's still early days.

"We're still in the story phase, we're still working on it," she told Entertainment Weekly. "We've been working on some ideas, and it's been fun to dive back into that world and we have so many directions in which to go and so many new characters to explore."

Speaking of which (should that be witch?), there's one character from part two that D'Angelo would love to see more of: "We've only scratched the surface of Hannah Waddingham's mother witch," she said.

When asked whether Waddingham's mother witch was the same maternal figure that the sisters mention throughout director Kenny Ortega's original film, D'Angelo confirmed that she very well could be.

"I believe that she's that mother, that she is the scorpion pie mother, and that they had a much more significant relationship with her than we've yet to see," she explained. "But, maybe we will see."

While the Sandersons were glimpsed as children in their last adventure, D'Angelo says the real fun comes in seeing the sisters as adults: "Anything's on the table" for Hocus Pocus 3, but the one thing that runs consistently is that "we for sure want to see them again as adults" she continued.

"I'm hoping that we are able to explore every aspect of these stories and take these characters on a bunch of fun adventures. 3 is still very much in the early stages, we don't really know what it is, but we're exploring all options and I think everybody is so delighted by the reaction that Hocus Pocus 2 got, and we're excited to continue those stories,"

Ortega directed the first Hocus Pocus movie in 1993 but was not invited to return for its 2022 sequel, with 27 Dresses filmmaker Anne Fletcher stepping in instead. However, during a recent interview Ortega said that he would be "interested and available" should an opportunity to return to Salem arrive.

Who will star in Hocus Pocus 3?

While no official information has been given regarding the cast of Hocus Pocus 3, stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker have all previously said they'd be open to returning to the franchise.

The trio portrayed Sanderson sisters Winnie (Midler), Sarah (Parker) and Mary (Najimy), and they reprised their roles in Hocus Pocus 2. The 1993 original followed their characters as they went in search of youthful souls to procure after being resurrected on Halloween.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in September 2022, Midler shared: "I'd love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing."

"I can't imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary and our relationship. It's good for women. We stick together through hell and high water, but we do cause mayhem, and not many women cause that much mayhem!"

Is there a trailer for Hocus Pocus 3?

As the new film has only just been announced by Disney, filming has not yet begun so there is no footage that could be shown to viewers yet.

A trailer will likely be revealed closer to the third film's official release date.

Hocus Pocus and Hocus Pocus 2 are available to watch on Disney+.