Bette Midler is running out of patience waiting for the long-anticipated ‘Hocus Pocus 3’. The third installment of the beloved Halloween franchise was officially announced back in June 2022, but as of now, Midler still hasn’t seen a script.
She expressed her frustration on the QVC+ talk show, Busy This Week. The iconic actress, along with her co-stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, are growing increasingly concerned about the delay in production, citing their advancing ages as a pressing issue.
“I haven’t seen the script, but I’ve heard rumblings,” Midler shared regarding the threequel. “I think if they’re gonna do it, they oughta hurry because time is not just marching, it’s barrel-assing to the finish line. Get us while we’re still breathing, I mean, God!”
The anxiety over the film’s delay comes despite reassurances last year from screenwriter Jen D’Angelo. Following the conclusion of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike, D’Angelo confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ remains in development.
“We’re still in the story phase, we’re still working on it,” D’Angelo said. “We’ve been working on some ideas. It’s been fun to dive back into that world and we have so many directions in which to go and so many new characters to explore. We’ve only scratched the surface of Hannah Waddingham’s mother witch.”
The second ‘Hocus Pocus’ film, which premiered in September 2022, successfully reignited fan enthusiasm for the franchise, making the delay in the third film all the more frustrating for its devoted audience.
The original 1993 film has since become a Halloween classic, and the sequel’s success highlighted the enduring appeal of the Sanderson sisters.
As fans eagerly await the return of the trio, Midler’s comments underscore the urgency felt by the cast. With the script still in progress, it remains uncertain when filming might begin or when audiences can expect to see ‘Hocus Pocus 3’ on screens.
For now, the hope is that production will accelerate, allowing Midler, Parker, and Najimy to reprise their roles in the timely manner they—and their fans—desire.