It’s been almost 30 years since Disney’s first Hocus Pocus film was released. Talk about staying power!
The film all about the Sanderson Sisters was well-received upon its release, but its popularity has only grown over the years, so much so, that Disney has opted for a take-two of the Sanderson Sisters saga, announcing last year that Hocus Pocus 2 will be streamable on the Disney+ platform later this year.
For those Hocus Pocus fans who just can’t get enough of the Sanderson Sisters, Disney has released an updated look at the cast of Hocus Pocus 2, which will include some younger, fresher actors in addition to the actors and actresses that made the film in the first place.
Bette Midler (Winifred ‘Winnie’ Sanderson)
The legendary Bette Midler will reprise her role as Winnie, the eldest Sanderson sister. Midler has a long-standing career as a stage actress and a screen actress. Some of her more notable projects include Beaches, The First Wives Club, 2019’s The Addams Family, and its 2021 sequel. Most recently, she appeared in Hello Dolly! in 2017.
Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson)
Sarah Jessica Parker returns as the youngest of the Sanderson Sisters, Sarah. In Hocus Pocus 2, Parker is still just as beautiful, and reportedly, the boys still love her. She is currently starring in HBO Max’s And Just Like That…, which is a sequel to the very popular Sex and the City. Since the first Hocus Pocus film, Sarah Jessica Parker has starred in movies like The First Wives Club (with Bette Midler), Mars Attacks!, The Family Stone, and other films.
Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson)
Actress Kathy Najimy will also return to reprise her role as Mary Sanderson, the middle Sanderson sister. Outside of her role in Hocus Pocus, Kathy Najimy is well-known for her role as Sister Mary Patrick in Sister Act, as well as for lending her voice to Peggy on King of the Hill. Some of her other acting achievements include playing roles in films like Hope Floats, Dumplin’, and Single All the Way. She also held recurring roles in TV series like Veep.
Doug Jones (William ‘Billy’ Butcherson)
Another familiar face will return to reprise his role in Hocus Pocus 2. Doug Jones will play the role of Billy Butcherson, who is Winifred’s ex-boyfriend. Winifred poisoned Billy but then brought him back to life as a zombie in the storyline of Hocus Pocus. Doug Jones is known for many roles, and he has also collaborated with famed filmmaker Guillermo del Toro more than once. Jones plays Saru in Star Trek: Discovery and also plays a recurring part in What We Do in the Shadows.
New roles and new faces for Hocus Pocus 2
Taylor Paige Henderson will star in her first-ever movie role as Young Winifred Sanderson. Juju Brener will play the role of Young Sarah Sanderson. Also joining the franchise as a younger version of one of the Sanderson Sisters is Nina Kitchen, who will play Young Mary Sanderson. This will be Kitchen’s first-ever acting credit.
Whitney Peak will play the role of Becca, one of the three high school students who will play deterrents to the Sanderson Sisters in the upcoming Hocus Pocus 2 film.
Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham will join the cast of Disney’s Hocus Pocus 2, playing a role that has not yet been revealed by the House of Mouse. Waddingham’s acting career is a colorful one. She played a role in the fifth and sixth seasons of Game of Thrones, and she is no stranger to the stage, having appeared in both London’s West End and New York’s Broadway. She had roles in Spamalot, The Wizard of Oz, and Kiss Me, Kate. Currently, she plays the role of Rebecca Welton, ex-wife of the former owner of an English soccer team, AFC Richmond, alongside Jason Sudekis in Ted Lasso.
Filming of the newest Hocus Pocus film finished in January of this year. Hocus Pocus 2 is set to debut on Disney+ this fall.
