Hocus Pocus 2 is officially on the way and has landed a new director!
Adam Shankman will direct the Disney+ sequel of the classic Halloween film. The director has directed other well-known films like the 2007 musical Hairspray, Rock of Ages with Tom Cruise, and 2002’s A Walk to Remember.
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Shankman shared the news on Instagram, writing, “Yep….Thanks with all of my heart dear @disney Looks like Il be working on a looooooottttt of magic for awhile… I feel incredibly honored and humbled to be guiding forward these two Disney crown jewel legacies.”
Shankman continued, “My only hope is to honor those who came before me and build something new and exciting, as I desperately try to not let down the fans and enchant the new initiates! Fingers crossed! Xo.”
He is also currently directing the Enchanted sequel for the streaming service.
The Hocus Pocus sequel will be a follow up to the 1993 film starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as three witches who are resurrected and determined to become immortal by feeding off the souls of children.
Last October, a sequel was announced, but it’s unclear if any of the original cast members will return or replaced with a new set of characters.
Midler has expressed interest in reprising her role as Winifred Sanderson on multiple occasions. In November 2014, during a Reddit AMA, the actress encouraged fans to “inundate the Disney company.”
“I have canvassed the girls and they are willing to do it, but we have no say in it,” said Midler. “So if you want a Hocus Pocus 2, ask the Walt Disney company.”
In 2016, Parker also revealed she would love to reunite with her witch sisters someday for a sequel.
“I would love that,” Parker said on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. “I think we’ve all been fairly vocal about being very keen but that hasn’t created any ground swell of movement.”