Nearly 30 years after the first movie became a Halloween classic, the Hocus Pocus sequel is starting to come together with new cast members coming aboard.
Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) has signed on to star in the sequel, alongside Tony Hale (Veep) and Sam Richardson (Werewolves Within), via Disney Plus Twitter.
They’ll join original stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who are reprising their roles as the Sanderson sisters from the 1993 original, with Disney Plus setting a fall 2022 release date.
New cast: Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso) has signed on to star in the sequel, alongside Tony Hale (Veep) and Sam Richardson (Werewolves Within), via Disney Plus Twitter
Original stars: They’ll join original stars Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who are reprising their roles as the Sanderson sisters from the 1993 original, with Disney Plus setting a fall 2022 release date
The sequel story will follow three young women who accidentally bring back the Sanderson sisters – Winifred (Middler), Sarah (Parker) and Mary (Najimy) – to present-day Salem, Massachusetts.
The young women must stop these, ‘child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world.’
Other new cast members announced by Disney Plus include Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Juju Brener, Froy Gutierrez, Taylor Henderson and Nina Kitchen.
Sisters: The sequel story will follow three young women who accidentally bring back the Sanderson sisters – Winifred (Middler), Sarah (Parker) and Mary (Najimy) – to present-day Salem, Massachusetts
More cast: Other new cast members announced by Disney Plus include Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo, Juju Brener, Froy Gutierrez, Taylor Henderson and Nina Kitchen
Original Hocus Pocus star Doug Jones is also returning as Billy Butcherson, though no details for any of the new cast members were unveiled.
Anne Fletcher (The Proposal) is directing Hocus Pocus 2 from a script by Jen D’Angelo, who makes her feature writing debut after writing for TV shows such as Cougar Town, Workaholics and most recently Young Rock.
Kenny Ortega directed the original Hocus Pocus, which only earned $45.1 million worldwide but would go on to become a Halloween cult classic.
Original: Original Hocus Pocus star Doug Jones is also returning as Billy Butcherson, though no details for any of the new cast members were unveiled
The film was put into development back in 2019, with Adam Shankman (Rock of Ages) originally slated to direct before Anne Fletcher took the helm.
Filming got under way on October 18 in Providence, Rhode Island, though it’s unclear how long production is slated to last for.
Waddingham is best known for her Emmy-winning role as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV Plus’ Ted Lasso, which has been picked up for a third season.
Emmy winner: Waddingham is best known for her Emmy-winning role as Rebecca Welton in Apple TV Plus’ Ted Lasso, which has been picked up for a third season
She’ll next be seen as Lady Bellaston in the Tom Jones mini-series, which is currently filming.
Hale has two movies out in 2021, Clifford the Big Red Dog, in theaters November 10, and Being the Ricardos, arriving on December 10.
Richardson most recently starred in the hit genre comedy Werewolves Within and the big-budget action film The Tomorrow War, along with a guest-starring role on Ted Lasso in the latest season.
New movies: Hale has two movies out in 2021, Clifford the Big Red Dog, in theaters November 10, and Being the Ricardos, arriving on December 10
Sam’s roles: Richardson most recently starred in the hit genre comedy Werewolves Within and the big-budget action film The Tomorrow War, along with a guest-starring role on Ted Lasso in the latest season