Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy Confirmed for Hocus Pocus 2 

Form a calming circle -- the original stars of Hocus Pocus are set to return for its sequel!

Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy are confirmed to star in Hocus Pocus 2, a live-action sequel to the beloved 1993 film that was a bomb at the box office but emerged as a cult classic.

Hocus Pocus 2 will premiere on Disney+ in 2022. According to a release, the film is about "three young women [who] accidentally bring the Sanderson Sisters back to modern day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world."

The first film's story centered on a trio of soul-seeking witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy) who, after being hanged during the Salem witch trials, return to hunt children three centuries later.

The original Hocus Pocus was directed by Kenny Ortega, a gay director also known for Newsies and the High School Musical movies. The film also starred Omri Katz, Thora Birch, and Vinessa Shaw as the young people who accidentally summon -- and then must defeat -- the witches.

Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, 27 Dresses), is set to direct Hocus Pocus 2; she takes the reins from Adam Shankman (Hairspray), who was originally set to direct but no longer can due to scheduling conflicts.

In a statement, Fletcher said she hoped to bring some much-needed levity to viewers. "Now more than ever, people need to laugh," she said. "We should be laughing every day, and there is so much fun to be had with these three unbelievable women playing delicious characters from such a beloved film."

"I am so grateful to be able to play a part in bringing these witches back to life, and to be working with my friends at Disney again makes it all the more special," she added. "This is a movie for everyone, from the fans who grew up with the first film to the next generation of viewers, and I can't wait to get started."

Over the years, Hocus Pocus has developed a passionate fan base among the LGBTQ+ community for the campy performances from the divas at the center as well as the impromptu musical numbers, including Parker's "Come Little Children" and Midler's rendition of "I Put a Spell on You."