29 years after the Sanderson sisters left an imprint on Halloween lovers of all ages, they are back for Hocus Pocus 2. Streaming now on Disney+, the film follows three young women who accidentally bring back the infamous witches to modern-day Salem and must figure out how to stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking havoc on the world. Reprising their roles as the beloved broom-riding trio are iconic actress Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.
Starring as the three teenage friends are Lilia Buckingham, Belissa Escobedo and Whitney Peak. It’s a big break for all three young starlets, and they couldn’t be more thrilled to be part of a cult classic. Ahead of the film’s debut, Shadow and Act spoke with the three teens about how significant this film is.
Regarding holding up to fans’ expectations, the cast all say they didn’t want to ruin the legacy of the first. “There was definitely like pressure, just, you know, mostly of just really wanting to give people what they've been waiting for for so long and to have fun with it and have them have fun while watching it,” Escobedo told us.
But getting the role was a dream come true. And not only was she excited, but her family and friends were also proud. “A lot of crying, a lot of screaming, very loud,” she said of her support system’s reaction to the news that she booked the role.
The same could be said for Peak, who unlike her two co-stars, went into the movie blind. It’s something she’s embarrassed to admit now knowing the fanfare attached to the film.
“I watched the movie for the first time right after I got the audition, which I know, I know crazy,” she said. “But I love the movie. And I got really excited about it because I the director was very passionate about it and she told me the direction that she wanted to go, and it just seemed really fun.”
Aside from working alongside one another in such a pressure-filled yet fun environment, the biggest perk they all can agree on was filming with Midler, Parker, and Najimy. They were able to foster good relationships with the three women outside of the cameras rolling, which made things even better.
“[They were] motherly in a sense,” Buckingham explained. “When I was the first time I met them, it was my first day without the two of you, and they were very conscious to make sure that I was being taken care of and that I was, you know, speaking up for myself then.”
Stream the movie now on Disney+ and watch the full interview above.
