Bette Midler is Open to a 'Hocus Pocus' Franchise Despite Age

Hocus Pocus 2 Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy still

In 1993, HOCUS POCUS came and went but over the years, the Disney movie became a cult hit. Bette Midler and Kathy Najimy had no idea the movie would become a phenomenon, and when Midler found out, she inquired about a possible sequel. HOCUS POCUS 2 has arrived, and the Grammy Award-winning singer/actor describes the moment as a “dream come true.”

The Sanderson sisters have awakened once again after two teens are tricked into resurrecting the Salem witches in HOCUS POCUS 2. Sarah Jessica Parker, Midler, and Najimy reprise their roles. The new cast includes Tony Hale, Sam Richardson, Whitney Peak (MOLLY’S GAME), Belissa Escobedo (BLUE BEETLE, American Horror Stories), Lilia Buckingham and Doug Jones reprises his role as Billy the zombie.

HOCUS POCUS earned a modest $45.4 at the domestic box office in 1993, but the campy PG movie grew in popularity over the years. Midler became aware of the cult status 15 years ago and pushed for a sequel.

“This was kind of a dream come true, it really was, said Midler at a press conference with the cast and filmmakers. “I mean, I've been, I don't want to say, agitating but kind of like after I realized it was actually a phenomenon, I started asking people around my age and people like that, don't you think they would be interested in a sequel? This was a long time ago. This was like 15 years ago, something like that. So here we are.”

For Najimy, HOCUS POCUS was just another project under her acting belt. However, she has her theory as to why HOCUS POCUS has resonated all these years. “I think, like Wizard of Oz-ish, where the generation shows it to their kids and shows it to their kids and shows it to their kids,” said Najimy.

The thought of a HOCUS POCUS franchise sounds like music to Midler’s ears. “I do love a franchise,” said the singer/actress. “I think I'm a little elderly for a franchise at this point. But I'll take what I can get.”

Hocus Pocus 2 Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy still

Part of the attraction for Midler is the sisterhood as reflected with the Sanderson and the new female characters. “I think these three characters are really in a strange and odd way that they're really quite positive for women,” said Midler. First of all, they're very funny, which women are not allowed to be are not supposed to be. And they're intensely loyal to each other, even though their relationships are... It's a very broad range of emotions that they live through. And, but I think in a funny way, their bond is very, very strong. So in any situation where women are together, a bond of friendship and sisterhood is really, really important. And then this movie sort of shores it up.”

Catch the Sanderson sister's adventures in HOCUS POCUS 2, now streaming on Disney+.

Watch Interviews

Latest Trailers

Meanwhile On Instagram