Disney announced via press release that Hocus Pocus 2 will star the original three witches: Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson, Sarah Jessica Parker as Sarah Sanderson, and Kathy Najimy as Mary Sanderson.
The return of the Sanderson Sisters was already known, but the scale of their role was uncertain. Disney has confirmed the three will play starring roles in the new film, alongside three yet-to-be-announced younger stars, who “accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters back to modern-day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world.”
The film was previously thought to be directed by Adam Shankman. However, due to scheduling conflicts with Disenchanted, Shankman has stepped into the Executive Producer role, and the directorship has gone to Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, 27 Dresses).
“As heartbroken as I am that I won’t be able to direct my friends Bette, Sarah Jessica, and Kathy in what is sure to be nothing short of a major event for Disney+ due to scheduling conflicts, I couldn’t be more pleased to be handing over the reins to Anne, who has brought so much laughter and joy into people’s lives with her previous work,” Shankman said.
