Hocus Pocus director Kenny Ortega opens up about his lack of involvement in Hocus Pocus 2. Ortega directed the original Hocus Pocus film in 1993, which went on to receive a sequel 29 years later. Ortega did not return to direct Hocus Pocus 2. Instead, the film was helmed by Anne Fletcher (The Proposal, The Guilt Trip).
Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Ortega reveals his reaction to not directing Hocus Pocus 2. According to Ortega, Disney did not give him the opportunity to direct Hocus Pocus 2, “which was disappointing” to him. Ortega maintained that he is still “available and interested” in continuing on with the franchise, but gratuitously endorsed the series in “however they want to move forward with it.” Check out the full quote from Ortega below:
No, they did not approach me to direct it, which was disappointing, but, of course, in the end, I was very supportive, wanting for Bette, Kathy, and Sarah to have another crack at it. You let go of things, you surrender, you move on, you don’t hold on, you don’t have ownership. I would’ve loved to have gone back and play again, but that I didn’t is okay.
I’ll see it this Halloween. I just didn’t see it last year when it came out, I was working, and then it just never was something that I could get to. But, I will. Of course I will.
Young blood, new ideas, I don’t know, for whatever reason that they don’t, it’s their choice. I was available, I was interested, and I still am available and interested, if that were to ever be a conversation that someone wanted to have with me. And yet, at the same time, I support the franchise however they want to move forward with it.
What’s Next For Hocus Pocus (And Could It Involve Ortega)?
Given the iconic nature of the original Hocus Pocus film, it is understandable for Ortega to be disappointed over Disney neglecting to offer him the chance to direct the sequel. The original Hocus Pocus has had such a lasting impact that the Sanderson sisters even returned to the big screen this fall for a 30th-anniversary screening. This rerelease was met with moderate success, with Hocus Pocus even squeaking into the top 10 during its first weekend.
After Hocus Pocus 2 finally arrived last year, Hocus Pocus 3 has been confirmed. Hocus Pocus 3 does not yet have a release date, plot, or director information. Thus, it is possible that Ortega could be offered a chance to come back for the threequel, which may be more likely if he is expressing such interest in re-immersing himself in the world of the Sanderson sisters.
Making this less likely, however, is the fact that Hocus Pocus 2 went in a very different direction than the first film. While the Sanderson sisters reappeared to haunt a new family, Hocus Pocus 2 did not see adult versions of Dani, Max, or Allison. Ortega may be enthusiastic about the franchise, but it seems that the world of Hocus Pocus has grown distant from him and his original characters.
