During her Divine Intervention Tour in 2015, Bette Midler appeared on stage dressed as Winifred Sanderson. Her Harlettes appeared with her dressed as Mary and Sarah, and the three of them performed the film's version of "I Put a Spell on You." [54] Kroll, Justin (March 4, 2020). "Adam Shankman to Direct 'Hocus Pocus 2' at Disney Plus (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 11, 2020 . Retrieved April 11, 2020. Ortega met with Leonardo DiCaprio about playing the role of Max after being "impressed" by his audition but he was too busy to take on the role as he was working on What's Eating Gilbert Grape. [12] [13] [14] Rosie O'Donnell was offered the role of Mary Sanderson but she declined as she didn't want to play a mean witch. [15] Filming [ edit ]

Kennedy, Michael (November 8, 2014). "Bette Midler & Co-Stars Are Up for 'Hocus Pocus 2' ". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on June 27, 2020 . Retrieved February 18, 2020. Various rewrites were made to the script to make the film more comedic and made two of its young protagonists into teenagers; however, production was stalled several times until 1992, when Bette Midler expressed interest in the script and the project immediately went forward. [11] Midler, who plays the central antagonist of the film (originally written for Cloris Leachman), [11] is quoted as saying that Hocus Pocus "was the most fun I'd had in my career up to that point". [ citation needed] Casting [ edit ] New book about 'Hocus Pocus' now available". September 21, 2016. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016 . Retrieved September 23, 2016.Leonardo DiCaprio Reveals What Movie He Turned Down Even After Being Offered "More Money Than I Ever Dreamed Of" ". E! Online. February 12, 2014. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016 . Retrieved December 1, 2016. Stanek, Billy (October 22, 2013). "D23 Members Run Amok at the Hocus Pocus 20th Anniversary Screening". D23. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014 . Retrieved January 24, 2014. Hocus Pocus in Focus: A Hocus Pocus Book for The Thinking Fan". Archived from the original on September 25, 2016 . Retrieved September 23, 2016.

Snetiker, Marc (May 27, 2015). " 'Hocus Pocus' stage show will haunt Disney World this Halloween". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 4, 2015 . Retrieved September 16, 2015. Hocus Pocus: As Told By Chibi | Chibi Tiny Tales | Disney Channel Animation , retrieved June 19, 2023Spirit Halloween is the largest Halloween retailer in North America, with over 1,450 pop-up locations in strip centers and malls across North America. Celebrating nearly four decades of business, Spirit has cemented its position as the premier destination for all things Halloween. Known to many as an exciting and interactive event for shoppers, Spirit stores offer complete selections of costumes and accessories for infants/toddlers, children, 'tweens, teens, and adults, along with exclusive jaw-dropping animatronics and décor you won't find anywhere else. In fact, Spirit knows how to have so much fun, it's scary! Prange, Stephanie (November 2, 2021). " 'Dune,' 'You' Again Top Weekly Whip Media Streaming Charts". Media Play News . Retrieved October 29, 2022. McCluskey, Megan (October 19, 2017). "The Story of Leonardo DiCaprio's Hocus Pocus Audition Is Everything You Want It to Be". Time . Retrieved June 29, 2023. In a November 2014 interview, Bette Midler said that she was ready and willing to return for a sequel, and she also said that her co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy were also interested in returning for a sequel. Midler stressed the fact that Disney had yet to greenlight any sequel. [66] In October 2016, Sarah Jessica was asked the prospects of a sequel and said "I would love that. I think we've been very vocal that we're very keen." [67] Hocus Pocus 2' Delivers Double Win for Disney+ on This Week's Streaming Movie Ranker | Charts". www.yahoo.com. October 7, 2022 . Retrieved October 11, 2022.