‘Hocus Pocus 3’ in the works at Disney

Another Hocus pocus it is in the works.

Sean Bailey, president of motion picture production at Walt Disney Studios, confirmed in an interview with The New York Times That Hocus Pocus 3 is happening.

Not surprising given the success of last year’s sequel, which set a record for a movie opening weekend on a streamer with 2.7 billion minutes viewed. Overall, the film came in fifth place among the most-streamed films of 2022 with a total of 5.7 billion minutes viewed.

While the first film was not a box office hit, it has grown into a cult following over the years thanks to basic cable broadcasting.

The third film will follow Kenny Ortega’s 1993 original and the Anne Fletcher-directed sequel from last year, both starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters – Winifred, Sarah and Mary, respectively – a trio of witches who suck the life force out of children in an effort to stay young.

To the Hocus pocus 2 premiere last year, executive producer Adam Shankman hinted The Hollywood Reporter that there were more stories to tell. That film featured teenager Becca (Whitney Peak), who is revealed to be a witch herself.

Fletcher “handled that (storyline) really, really beautifully,” Shankman said of Becca’s discovery. “We went back and forth about how this was going to work, if it was going to work, forever, and Anne was just like, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ And I think that’s great. And it creates a lot of excitement for potential spinoffs.

It is unclear whether there have been discussions with Midler, Parker and Najimy. From him, Midler said Entertainment Weekly last year that she would be ready to revisit her role.

“I would love to have a franchise, especially a character that I love to play,” he said. “If there was a third, of course I would sign, but I don’t know how. 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 cause havoc, and not many women cause that much havoc.