MOVIE STUDIOS DON'T MAKE SEQUELS TO PICtures that flop. Which is why Bette Midler thought she'd never return as Winifred Sanderson, the leader of a pack of witches from the 1993 Disney film Hocus Pocus.
Campy and over-the-top, the family-friendly comedy was tailor made for Bette Midler. The Sanderson sisters (Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy) are awoken from a spell cast in the 17th century and proceed to try to steal the youth of the children of modern-day Salem, Massachusetts.
Released in July 1993, though, Hocus Pocus was steamrolled by that summer's blockbusters, among them the first Jurassic Park, Tom Cruise in The Firm and Harrison Ford in The Fugitive. While some devoted Midler fans bought tickets including this writer-the movie stiffed on its opening weekend and was promptly forgotten.
"I was disappointed because we had worked really hard on it," Midler says. "It was fun.
So we had this great experience, and we expected it to be translated into the response. When it wasn't, I do have to say it was a big disappointment." Over the next 20 year years, though, the movie gradually found a dedicated (and vocal) fan base online and via Halloween showings on television. On September 30, Hocus Pocus 2 premieres on Disney+. "I have to say a huge fat thank you and a huge shout out to all the fans that basically made it happen," Midler says. "If it hadn't been for them, we never would have been given the green light to do it." "When I started seeing it online, I was absolutely dumbfounded. I couldn't believe it," she adds. "I tell you, my mouth fell open. I had no idea that this was going on. And the more you dug into the internet, the more you saw that there was this madness of those three characters....We started seeing that something was happening. We couldn't quite figure out why. But it was, there's no denying that there was something going on. And as the years went by, it got crazier and crazier."
This story is from the October 07, 2022 edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the October 07, 2022 edition of Newsweek Europe.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Secret to Being an ADHD Whisperer
Loosening up and ceding control are some of the most important strategies for making life easier for a neurodiverse loved one
Fertility Clinics 2024
FOR THOSE LOOKING TO EXPAND THEIR FAMILIES, FERTILITY CLINICS CAN BE A VITAL OPTION
'I AM ALWAYS IN THE MOMENT'
India's prime minister on his goals, his critics and his 'god-gifted' ability to listen
MODI'S MOMENT
INDIA'S LEADER is SHAPING the COUNTRY in his OWN ASSERTIVE IMAGE
Resurgence of Global Mayhem
While the world watches Gaza, ISIS is gaining strength and momentum, building networks and preparing for strikes worldwide
Who Rules Gaza When The Fighting Stops?
With no clear leader coming to the fore, questions remain about how the devastated territory will be managed
No End Game In Sight
Benjamin Netanyahu is risking a pyrrhic victory in Gaza that damages the chances of long-term peace
Chris Perfetti
IF YOU'RE ONE OF THE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS SINGING THE PRAISES of ABC's Abbott Elementary, fear not, they've heard you. \"We love to hear it,\" says Chris Perfetti, who plays Jacob Hill on the Emmy-winning sitcom about teachers at a Philadelphia public school.
The Power Beneath Our Feet
Scientists reveal the true potential of superhot rock geothermal energy in the fight against climate change
Divine Intervention
POPE FRANCIS' PROGRESSIVE REPOSITIONING OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH HAS CREATED BATTLE LINES BETWEEN ITS 1.3 BILLION FOLLOWERS, NO MORE SO THAN IN THE UNITED STATES
