A 'Hocus Pocus' Reboot Is Happening, but *Without* the Sanderson Sisters

It feels like Disney has been dancing around a Hocus Pocus sequel for forever, but right as summer's turned into fall, Disney Channel has confirmed that another Hocus Pocus movie will happen, Deadline reports (opens in new tab).

Earlier this week, the writer of the original cult movie also dropped the news (opens in new tab). In an interview with Forbes (opens in new tab) about the business of film, writer Mick Garris shared his thoughts on the growing appeal of witchcraft, sister villains, and teen feelings.

"It’s amazing to be a part of something that has become a perennial...Generation after generation, it’s kind of remarkable and fantastic to have something brought to the screen like that and to have it embraced generation after generation. Everybody I meet, it’s either their daughters or their own favorite movie and it’s incredibly exciting."

"There have been rumors of a 'Hocus Pocus' sequel for the last 10 years that will not die. I have heard they are developing the script, I haven’t been involved in it but I think there will be a sequel it might be for Disney Channel or Freeform or ABC. I think it will be for television but I hear that it is moving ahead."

Okay, but like, what about that long-rumored sequel? To that, Garris said:

So there you have it! It's looking like Hocus Pocus 2 is going to be

 an original TV movie, which will be all right...as long as someone sings "I Put a Spell On You." And then just like that, Deadline provided further confirmation (opens in new tab) that the Disney Channel is "in the early stages" of developing a new TV movie. Wait for it, though: per Deadline, the reboot "will have a new cast and a new director. " Look, I know it would be a hassle to drag Thackery Binx back from the afterlife BUT WE NEED THAT SASSY CAT!

Interestingly, Mark Garris also told Forbes he thought it would be "a big mistake" to attempt a new Hocus Pocus without Winnie, Mary, and Sarah. So we'll just have to wait and see what sort of dark magic Disney is brewing up...or find a virgin to light the black flame candle, I guess.