Disney just won't let the Sanderson Sisters stay dead, and honestly, why should they? After the massive streaming numbers for the 2022 sequel, a third movie was basically inevitable. People are obsessed. But the big question hanging over every fan's head right now isn't about the plot or the CGI—it’s about the Hocus Pocus 3 cast and whether the original lightning can strike thrice.
It's been a wild ride for this franchise. The 1993 original was technically a flop at the box office. Hard to believe, right? Now, it’s a lifestyle. When Hocus Pocus 2 dropped on Disney+, it broke records, proving that nostalgia is the most powerful spell in the book. But a movie is only as good as its witches. If we don’t get the right people back in the capes, the whole thing might just fizzle out like a damp firecracker.
The Core Trio: Bette, Kathy, and Sarah
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. You can’t have Hocus Pocus without the sisters. It’s physically impossible.
Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker have all expressed varying levels of "yes, please" when it comes to returning. Bette Midler has been the most vocal. She loves Winifred. She is Winifred. In several interviews following the release of the second film, Midler basically said she’d be thrilled to wrap up the story, especially since these characters are so distinct and, well, fun to chew the scenery with.
Sarah Jessica Parker, despite her hectic schedule with the Sex and the City revival And Just Like That..., has also signaled she’s down. She told Extra that she’d be happy to read a script and that if Bette wants to do it, it’s hard to say no. Kathy Najimy is usually the more pragmatic one, but she’s hinted that she never says never to Mary Sanderson’s crooked smile.
The chemistry between these three is the only reason the sequel worked. Without them, it’s just a generic Disney movie with some pointy hats. Keeping the Hocus Pocus 3 cast anchored by the original trio is the only way to ensure the fans don't revolt.
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The "Old Guard" and the Problem of Max and Allison
This is where things get sticky. Fans were pretty vocal about the absence of Omri Katz (Max), Vinessa Shaw (Allison), and Thora Birch (Dani) in the second film. It felt like a missed opportunity.
Omri Katz has been very open about his willingness to return. He’s basically told anyone with a microphone that he’s waiting for the call. Vinessa Shaw has been equally supportive of the franchise, though she’s noted that the timing for the second one just didn't work out. Thora Birch was actually supposed to be in Hocus Pocus 2 as a grown-up version of Dani working as a school teacher, but scheduling conflicts with another project (reportedly Wednesday) killed that plan.
If Disney is smart, the Hocus Pocus 3 cast will finally bring the 1993 kids back into the fold. Imagine a world where Max and Allison are the parents of the new protagonists, or Dani has become some sort of local Salem occult expert. It writes itself. It’s what the people want. Giving us a cameo isn't enough anymore; we want them in the thick of it.
Doug Jones is the MVP
We need to talk about Billy Butcherson. Doug Jones is a legend in the industry, mostly because he can act through five pounds of latex better than most people can with a bare face.
Jones has confirmed he’s interested in returning. His performance in the second film gave Billy a much-needed backstory and a bit of closure, but there’s always room for a good zombie. He’s the physical comedy engine of these movies. If Billy isn't in the Hocus Pocus 3 cast, we’re losing a huge chunk of the soul of the series.
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The New Generation: Will the 2022 Trio Return?
Hocus Pocus 2 introduced us to Becca (Whitney Peak), Izzy (Belissa Escobedo), and Cassie (Lilia Buckingham). Becca, specifically, discovered she has actual witchcraft powers.
This creates a weird dynamic for the third film. Does the story stay focused on them?
Whitney Peak is a rising star, and her character’s new powers provide a direct foil to Winifred Sanderson. It’s likely they’ll return, though the reception to the "new kids" was a bit mixed compared to the original trio. To make the Hocus Pocus 3 cast work, Disney needs to find a way to bridge the gap between the 1993 fans and the newer audience without making it feel like a passing-of-the-torch movie that no one asked for.
What’s the Hold Up?
The movie was officially confirmed by Sean Bailey, the then-President of Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, in an interview with The New York Times. But since then? Crickets.
Part of the delay is likely script development. Director Anne Fletcher and writer Jen D'Angelo are reportedly back, but they have a tough needle to thread. You can't just do the "Sisters come back and are confused by modern technology" bit for a third time. We’ve seen them with vacuum cleaners. We’ve seen them in Walgreens. What's left?
The Hocus Pocus 3 cast won't be finalized until that script is locked. Also, these are busy women. SJP is a mogul. Bette is a legend who picks her projects carefully. Coordination is a nightmare.
Rumors vs. Reality
You might have seen posters on Facebook or TikTok claiming that Jenna Ortega or some other massive Gen Z star has joined the Hocus Pocus 3 cast.
Don't believe everything you see.
As of right now, there are no confirmed new additions. Most of those "leaked" posters are fan art. While adding a massive name like Ortega would be a box-office (or streaming) win, there’s no factual evidence it’s happening yet. We’re still in the "active development" phase, which is Hollywood speak for "we’re working on it, leave us alone."
Why the Cast Matters More Than the Plot
Let’s be real. No one watches Hocus Pocus for a tight, logical plot. We watch it for the vibes. We watch it for the "I Put a Spell on You" musical numbers.
The chemistry of the Hocus Pocus 3 cast is the entire movie. If the sisters don't feel like they're having fun, the audience won't either. The second movie felt a bit sanitized compared to the 90s original, which had a bit more of a "weird" edge to it. To make a third one successful, they need to lean back into that slightly darker, more chaotic energy.
- Winifred: Needs to be the undisputed leader.
- Mary: Needs her sense of smell and her vacuum.
- Sarah: Needs to be... well, Sarah.
If they can get the original kids back—even for a subplot—the hype would be astronomical. It turns the movie from a "sequel" into a "cinematic event" for multiple generations of fans.
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Practical Steps for Hocus Pocus Fans
If you're waiting for official news on the Hocus Pocus 3 cast, here’s how to stay ahead of the curve without falling for clickbait:
- Check the trades: Only trust news from Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, or Deadline. If it’s not there, it’s probably a rumor.
- Follow the stars on Instagram: Bette Midler and Doug Jones are usually the first to drop hints or celebrate when production actually begins.
- Re-watch the post-credits scene: Remember the second movie's end-credits? The one with the black flame candle in the magic shop? That’s your biggest clue for the third film's direction.
- Monitor Disney's D23 Expo: This is where the big cast reveals usually happen. The next big event will likely be the source of the first official teaser or cast list.
The road to Salem is long, and while the Hocus Pocus 3 cast is still being assembled behind closed doors, the excitement isn't dying down anytime soon. We just have to hope they light the right candle this time. Stay tuned to official Disney channels for the first real confirmation of who is stepping back into the circle.