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."
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin October 07, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Newsweek Europe dergisinin October 07, 2022 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Red Cows, Gaza And The End Of The World
As the Israel-Hamas war rages on, the Third Temple movement is ramping up its bid to reclaim a contested holy site in Jerusalem currently home to ancient Islamic shrines
An Ecstatic Anniversary
Sarah McLachlan is touring this summer, 30 years after the release of 'Fumbling Towards Ecstasy,' the album that made her a star
'WE ARE FACING THE MOST COMPLEX SECURITY ENVIRONMENT SINCE WORLD WAR II'
Japan's prime minister on security, diplomacy and protecting the rule of law at home, in Asia and around the world
JAPAN'S CALL TO ARMS
As the 'peace-loving nation' doubles its defense spending, Prime Minister FUMIO KISHIDA explains why it needs to take an assertive stance to counter China and North Korea
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