The Sanderson Sisters Return: 7 Shocking Secrets About The 'Brilliant' Hocus Pocus 3 Script

The wait is finally over for fans of the Sanderson Sisters! As of today, December 10, 2025, the highly anticipated sequel, Hocus Pocus 3, is officially in active development at Disney. The biggest news to drop recently is a confirmation from the Divine Miss M herself, Bette Midler, who revealed that a "brilliant" script for the third installment has been completed and delivered to the stars.

The cult classic franchise, which began with the original 1993 film and saw a record-breaking return with the Disney+ sequel in 2022, is preparing for its next chapter. While a release date remains unconfirmed, the return of the original cast and creative team, combined with a thrilling new plot direction, suggests that the Sanderson sisters—Winifred, Sarah, and Mary—will soon be flying their broomsticks across the skies of Salem, Massachusetts, once again.

The Confirmed & Expected Cast and Creative Team for Hocus Pocus 3

The success of Hocus Pocus 2 was largely attributed to the triumphant return of the original trio, and all signs point to their involvement in the third film. Additionally, the new generation of witches and the core creative team from the sequel are also set to return, ensuring continuity for the franchise.

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• Bette Midler (Winifred "Winnie" Sanderson): Confirmed the script is done and called it "brilliant," strongly indicating her return as the fiery leader of the coven.
• Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah Sanderson): Expected to return as the siren-voiced sister.
• Kathy Najimy (Mary Sanderson): Expected to return as the loyal, vacuum-riding sister.
• Anne Fletcher (Director): The director of Hocus Pocus 2 is set to return to the director's chair for the third film.
• Jen D'Angelo (Writer): The screenwriter for Hocus Pocus 2 is confirmed to be returning to write the script, which Midler praised.
• Whitney Peak (Becca): Expected to return as the new protagonist who discovers she is a natural-born witch.
• Belissa Escobedo (Izzy): Expected to return as one of Becca's best friends and fellow magic-wielder.
• Lilia Buckingham (Cassie Traske): Expected to return as the third member of the new coven.
• Producer Adam Shankman: The long-time creative force behind the sequel is expected to remain involved in a producing capacity.
• Sean Bailey: The President of Walt Disney Pictures, who officially confirmed the film's development.

The Biggest Question: How Do The Sanderson Sisters Return?

The ending of Hocus Pocus 2 presented a major challenge for a third film. Winifred, Sarah, and Mary Sanderson sacrificed themselves, turning into dust after casting the forbidden "Magicae Maxima" spell, which was too powerful for a trio to handle. Their final moments were a surprisingly emotional and definitive farewell.

However, the franchise has a long-standing tradition of bringing the witches back, starting with the iconic Black Flame Candle. For Hocus Pocus 3, the return mechanism is likely to pivot away from the candle and focus on two key elements introduced in the sequel: the Mother Witch and the new coven led by Becca.

1. The Mother Witch Connection

The most likely path for the sisters' resurrection lies with the powerful entity known only as the Mother Witch, played by Hannah Waddingham in the flashback sequence of Hocus Pocus 2. This ancient witch was the one who gave the young Sanderson sisters the spellbook, known simply as "The Book," and set them on their dark path.

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The post-credits scene of Hocus Pocus 2 is the smoking gun. It showed a second, previously hidden Black Flame Candle being revealed by Gilbert the Great's black cat, Cobweb, in his magic shop. This strongly suggests that the Mother Witch, who created the original candle, may have created a backup. Writer Jen D'Angelo has expressed a desire to expand on the Mother Witch's story, potentially making her the central antagonist or the key to the sisters' return in the third film. The plot could involve Becca, Izzy, and Cassie having to face the Mother Witch directly, or even accidentally resurrecting the Sandersons while trying to stop her.

2. Becca's New Witch Powers

Another major plot development is the revelation that Becca is a natural-born witch. At the end of Hocus Pocus 2, she inherits the power of the original coven after Winifred's self-sacrifice. Producer Adam Shankman has hinted that Becca, Izzy, and Cassie could take center stage in the sequel, potentially transitioning the franchise's focus from the Sandersons to the new generation.

The "revenge story" tease from the creative team could be interpreted in two ways: either the Sandersons somehow return seeking revenge on the new trio, or the Mother Witch seeks revenge for the death of her protégées, requiring Becca's new coven to step up as the primary defenders of Salem.

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Will The Original Hocus Pocus Cast Finally Return?

One of the most disappointing aspects of Hocus Pocus 2 for long-time fans was the absence of the original 1993 protagonists: Max Dennison (Omri Katz), Allison Watts (Vinessa Shaw), and especially Dani Dennison (Thora Birch). Their presence would add a massive layer of nostalgic topical authority to the third movie.

The good news is that the door is wide open for their return in Hocus Pocus 3:

• Thora Birch (Dani Dennison): Birch, who played the spirited young Dani, has publicly stated she is "super open" to returning for the third film. Her character was originally planned to appear in HP2 as an adult, but scheduling conflicts prevented it. Her return would be a major fan-service moment.
• Omri Katz (Max Dennison) and Vinessa Shaw (Allison Watts): While there are no official confirmations, the return of Dani would logically pave the way for her older brother Max and his girlfriend Allison, who were instrumental in defeating the Sandersons in the first film. They could serve as mentors to the new coven.
• Doug Jones (Billy Butcherson): The beloved zombie ex-boyfriend of Winifred was finally freed from his curse at the end of HP2, walking off into the sunset as a free spirit. However, actor Doug Jones has addressed his possible return, noting that while Billy's story was complete, he is open to coming back if the writers find a creative way to do so.

With the script confirmed to be finished and the principal cast poised for a return, the logistical hurdles—which often involve coordinating the schedules of stars like Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy—are the only things preventing an immediate start to production. Disney is clearly committed to delivering a high-quality sequel that honors the franchise's legacy while expanding the world of Salem's witches. Expect more official casting and plot details to emerge as the film moves from development into pre-production, with a likely release window targeting a future Halloween season on Disney+.