Movies
Confirmed: ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ Is Definitely Happening!
Disney’s sequel Hocus Pocus 2 was a massive hit for the Disney+ streaming service this past Halloween, setting streaming records and proving that the franchise is now more popular than ever before. As you might have guessed, Hocus Pocus 3 won’t be far behind.
Disney’s Sean Bailey flat out confirms to The New York Times in a new profile piece that just went up over the weekend, “Yes, Hocus Pocus 3 is happening.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard about the continuation of the franchise, which kicked off way back in 1993. In an interview with THR last October, Hocus Pocus 2 producer Adam Shankman teased the potential for follow-up projects, which could center on the sequel’s new characters. Hocus Pocus 2 introduced Whitney Peak as Becca, Belissa Escobedo as Izzy, and Lilia Buckingham as Cassie, a new group of sisters who come together to vanquish the Sandersons. It’s Becca who ultimately discovers she has her own bewitching powers.
Shankman told THR, “[Director] Anne [Fletcher] I think handled [Becca’s character arc] really, really beautifully. We went back and forth on how that was going to work, if it was going to work, forever, and Anne was just like, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ And I think it’s great. And it creates a lot of excitement about potential spinoffs.”
It sounds like both sequels and spinoffs are on the table at this time. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy returned as the Sanderson Sisters in Hocus Pocus 2, and we assume they’d be back for the now-confirmed Hocus Pocus 3, at the very least.
Stay tuned for more on Hocus Pocus 3 as we learn it.
(L-R): Belissa Escobedo as Izzy and Whitney Peak as Becca in Disney’s live-action HOCUS POCUS 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Matt Kennedy. © 2022 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Sunrise Films has announced the official North American release of William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort, and it’s accompanied by an energetic new trailer.
Hold the Fort debuts on digital platforms on June 23.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch. Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell. The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Watch the new trailer below, which introduces one wild HOA gathering during an equinox. Things get bloody fast.
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star.
William Bagley writes and directs, in addition to producing with Smith, Matt Dodd, Luke Williams, and Tim Reis (Adult Swim Yule Log).
Ahead of the release, Bagley said, “My goal with this film was to make a hilarious, fast-paced thrill ride while also telling a great story with heart. Hopefully, through all the blood, laughs, fights, and gags, you leave the film feeling inspired to tackle whatever life throws at you.“
Hold the Fort premiered at Fantasia last summer before going on to play FrightFest London, Toronto After Dark, and Beyond Fest.
I wrote in my review, “It’s an infectiously charming assemblage of jokes and monster vignettes bound together by a barebones plot with not much on its mind beyond delivering an entertaining time.”
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