Hocus Pocus 3 Is in the Works at Disney

Hocus Pocus 3 is officially in the works at Disney, bringing the wickedly delightful Sanderson Sisters back on screen.

Sean Bailey, president of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, confirmed the development of the third Hocus Pocus film in an interview with The New York Times, which was published yesterday. He confirmed the project was happening as he discussed other upcoming live-action projects, including Moana, Lilo and Stitch, and Hercules remakes.

The news of Hocus Pocus receiving yet another sequel comes nine months after the Anne Fletcher-directed Hocus Pocus 2 premiered on Disney+, drawing in 2.7 billion minutes viewed on its opening weekend. The film is set nearly 30 years after the original Kenny Ortega-helmed affair, where Winifred, Sarah, and Mary (reprised by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, respectively) are once again resurrected by the Black Flame Candle lit by two virgin high school girls — one of whom has developed witch powers on her 16th birthday — and wreak havoc on a modern-day Salem with hell to pay on Halloween night.

There are no other details about Hocus Pocus 3, such as casting or setting. However, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly last year, Midler expressed interest in reprising her role of Winifred once more.

“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,” Midler said. “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!”

Cristina Alexander is a freelance writer for IGN. To paraphrase Calvin Harris, she wears her love for Sonic the Hedgehog on her sleeve like a big deal. Follow her on Twitter @SonicPrincess15.