The wait for the return of the Sanderson Sisters heats up as legendary actress Bette Midler has officially confirmed reading a script for Hocus Pocus 3, describing much of it as “brilliant” and expressing immense excitement, signaling significant progress for the long-awaited Disney sequel.
The enchanting world of Hocus Pocus is once again buzzing with activity, much to the delight of its dedicated fanbase. The divine Bette Midler, iconic for her portrayal of the lead witch Winifred Sanderson, recently revealed a thrilling update about the highly anticipated Hocus Pocus 3, confirming she has read a script and found “a lot of it was brilliant.” This news arrives two years after Sean Bailey, then President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Picture Production, confirmed that a third installment was officially in the works.
Midler’s Enthusiastic Revelation on ‘Watch What Happens Live’
During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live,” the 79-year-old star shared her excitement with host Andy Cohen, stating, “Well, you know, they sent a script, and a lot of it was brilliant. So I got very excited.” She elaborated on the current status of the project, indicating that the team is now grappling with the practicalities of bringing the magical story to life, including location, budget, and other complex logistical considerations.
This update is particularly significant given Midler’s previous urgings for Disney to expedite the sequel’s production. In July 2024, during an interview on Busy Philipps’ QVC+ talk show “Busy This Week,” Midler expressed her desire for swift action, famously quipping, “Get us while we’re still breathing, I mean, God!” This sentiment highlighted the cast’s eagerness to reprise their beloved roles, a sentiment clearly reciprocated by the studio’s active development of a new script.
Her previous plea can be revisited in a report by AOL.
From Initial “Dud” to Unstoppable Cult Classic
The journey of Hocus Pocus has been nothing short of extraordinary. The 1993 original film, starring Midler alongside Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson and Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson, initially flopped at the box office. However, over the years, it steadily gained a massive following, transforming into a cherished cult classic, particularly during the Halloween season. Midler herself admitted on “Busy This Week” that she initially thought the film was a “dud” before witnessing its remarkable evolution.
The film’s resurgence wasn’t confined to holiday re-runs; it became a staple at drag shows and cemented its place in pop culture, especially in Salem, Massachusetts, where it was filmed. The town now experiences an influx of Hocus Pocus fans, particularly around Halloween, demonstrating the film’s enduring appeal and cultural impact.
The Record-Breaking Success of Hocus Pocus 2
The immense fan demand culminated in the highly anticipated 2022 sequel, Hocus Pocus 2, which saw Midler, Parker, and Najimy reunite to reprise their roles as the mischievous Sanderson Sisters. The sequel was a resounding success, shattering streaming records for Disney+. It garnered an astonishing 2.7 billion minutes of viewing in its opening week, as reported by Variety. This phenomenal performance quickly prompted Disney to greenlight a third film, a development officially confirmed by Sean Bailey in 2023, as detailed in an AOL report.
Midler often reflected on the three-decade wait for the sequel, recalling how she and her co-stars would “lobby Disney all the time” to make it happen, armed with impressive viewership numbers from the original’s television broadcasts. The unprecedented success of the second film proved their persistence was well-founded, affirming the enduring power and popularity of the Sanderson Sisters.
Winifred Sanderson: A Character Unlike Any Other for Midler
Despite her extensive and celebrated acting career spanning over half a century, Bette Midler maintains that Winifred Sanderson is “probably the least like me of any character” she has ever played. She affectionately refers to Winifred as “the closest thing I will ever get to Shakespeare,” attributing this to the character’s 17th-century origins and dramatic flair.
Midler admires Winifred’s theatricality and villainous qualities. “She really does put it on,” Midler explained, praising Winnie’s viciousness, hilarity, and ridiculous appearance, all while remaining blissfully unaware of her own eccentricities. This unique portrayal has cemented Winifred as an unforgettable figure in cinematic history, a character fans eagerly await to see once more.
What’s Next for Hocus Pocus 3?
With Bette Midler’s endorsement of the script, the momentum for Hocus Pocus 3 is undeniably building. While logistical details, including a production schedule and official release date, are still being finalized, the news of a “brilliant” script is a huge step forward. Fans can confidently anticipate another magical chapter featuring the beloved trio of witches, promising more hilarity and Halloween mischief. The excitement surrounding the Sanderson Sisters’ potential return continues to grow, ensuring that when they do cast their next spell, the world will be watching.
