The Sanderson Sisters are finally back in Hocus Pocus 2, and it seems an unwitting young successor of theirs may have something to do with it.
Disney recently confirmed the release of a long-awaited sequel to the beloved 1993 movie Hocus Pocus. After almost 30 years of wishful speculation from fans and occasional teasing hints from various members of the original production, the Black Flame Candle has finally been lit once again. Hocus Pocus 2 promotions heated up with a teaser trailer drop in late June that showcased upgraded visual effects, plenty of spooky atmosphere and a few hints at the new film's plot.
In the original movie, a group of modern kids accidentally resurrects the Sanderson sisters, a villainous trio of 17th-century witches intent on achieving eternal youth by feeding on the souls of children. Winifred (Bette Midler), Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary (Kathy Najimy) have become icons since the film's release and are now practically synonymous with the Halloween season. In the new sequel, the Sanderson sisters are once again brought back by accident, but this time, a main character's latent magical abilities may be the main factor behind their unexpected reawakening.
Returning For The Disney Sequel
The short trailer sets the stage 29 years after the events of the first Hocus Pocus, introducing the sequel's three new teen protagonists living in present-day Salem. Becca (Whitney Peak) and Izzy (Belissa Escobedo) are a pair of lifelong best friends with a shared love for the creepy and supernatural. They're preparing to celebrate Becca's 16th birthday, telling friendly classmate Cassie (Lilia Buckingham) of their annual birthday tradition of watching scary movies and performing a certain ritual using the Black Flame Candle. The trailer then cuts to Gilbert (Sam Richardson), a local magic shop owner, mentioning that a witch's powers are said to awaken on her 16th birthday. That night, the girls are blindsided when the ritual actually works and resurrects the Sanderson Sisters for the second time, who promptly begin wreaking havoc on Salem again.
The original Hocus Pocus revolves around a spell left behind by the witches that brings them back if a virgin lights the Black Flame Candle in their cottage on Halloween. It concludes with the witches' death when they fail to feed on a child's soul before dawn, a fairly final ending that includes the three villainesses crumbling into dust. However, a parting shot of Winifred's powerful spell book winking its eye hinted at the possibility of the Sandersons' eventual second return from beyond the grave.
With the mechanism of Winifred's first spell most likely being broken thanks to the efforts of original protagonists Max, Allison and Dani, there is clearly another factor behind the witches' sudden return. The trailer points heavily toward Becca's latent witch abilities being the most likely candidate. The concept that new witches can be born at any time introduces some interesting questions into the previously somewhat vague lore of the Hocus Pocus universe. Is Becca perhaps distantly related to the Sanderson sisters, or can one be born with the potential to become a witch regardless of blood ties?
Furthermore, if witches other than the Sandersons exist, does that imply that other magical beings, such as vampires and werewolves, are out there? The first Hocus Pocus included characters like Billy, the zombie, and Thackery, the talking cat, but both were originally ordinary mortals, made supernatural by Winifred and her sisters' powers. It would certainly be entertaining to see the world of Hocus Pocus expand even further to include riffs on other classic spooky creatures, such as ghosts.
One also wonders what the Sanderson sisters' precise goal will be in this movie, as their previous aim of sucking out a single child's soul may no longer be of any use to them in their quest for immortality. There's a strong possibility that they may seek to somehow convert Becca to their side, if not simply hunt her down and consume her powers and youth for their own. It's sure to be thrilling to see another witch go up against the Sandersons, especially a completely untrained one who is most likely having trouble accepting her new reality.
Many questions remain, but one thing is clear as day -- enthusiasm for the Hocus Pocus universe is more fervent than ever in 2022. Every returning cast member, especially Doug Jones as Winifred's dead ex-paramour Billy, has been met with a raucous welcome from fans, and there has been no small amount of tears online over those not reprising their roles. When the Sanderson Sisters return, 2022's spooky season will be off to an exciting start.
