It took three decades, but “Hocus Pocus 2” is finally here, just in time for spooky season! The Sanderson Sisters are back, once again, thanks to the meddling of modern-day Salem teenagers who don’t realize what they’ve done, and it’s a scary good time for everyone. The warm reception to the sequel, of course, has everyone asking: could a third installment happen down the line?
For now, at least, the cast aren’t looking that far ahead — they’re just enjoying the fun of reuniting for this sequel.
“I feel like we’re done. We’ve pulled every story you could pull out of this,” Kathy Najimy, who plays Mary Sanderson, told Entertainment Weekly. “I guess, never say never, but I feel grateful that we got to do it again. I don’t know that there are plans for a third one, but I know fans are dedicated to this film. I’m just happy we can bring this to them.
In the same interview, Bette Midler (Winnie) expressed similar feelings: gratitude for getting to revisit the role, uncertainty over the possibility of another one, but an open mind if the right story came along.
“After 30 years with no sequel to ‘Hocus Pocus,’ I’ve always been envious of people who get to do their favorite character more than once,” she said. “The fact that we got to do this finally, after 30 years of promoting the idea, I’m glad we got to do it. I’d love to have a franchise — especially a character I love playing. If there was a third one, of course I’d sign on, but I don’t know how. I can’t imagine what the story would be, but I love Winifred, Sarah, Mary, and our relationship.”
If a third movie did end up happening, though, at least one of the “wicked sisters” has an idea of how they could make it happen!
“Kathy had a good idea that the third one should be animated. That would be cool and a smart idea!” Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah) told “Entertainment Weekly.” “It’s fun, funny, and could be interesting and innovative, like old-fashioned or new [animation]. Of course, I’d be happy to have a conversation, it just depends on what Kathy and Bette want!”