Happy fall, and happy October!
Halloween is in just a few weeks, but now is the time for some good old Rhode Island appreciation, Bulldogs! Founded in 1631 by colonizer Roger Williams and granted statehood in May of 1776, Rhode Island was the first colony to reject its faithfulness to England. The origin of the state name comes from the Greek Island of Rhodes, and it holds the title for being the smallest state in the nation. Nicknamed “The Ocean State,”Rhode Island is famous for manufacturing silverware and other fine jewelry. The state is also famous for originating clam cakes, johnnycakes, stuffies (stuffed clams), and pizza strips. In other words, food that is no doubt scrumptious, but maybe not the healthiest of foods.
Another fun fact is that Rhode Island will now go down in history as being the filming location for the sequel to one of the greatest Halloween films of all time. In 1993, Kenny Ortega (director of Disney Channel films such as High School Musical and Descendants) blessed the movie-loving world with the Disney film, Hocus Pocus. The original film followed the adventures of three children as they fought to destroy a coven of witches whom they unintentionally awoke on Halloween night. Starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy, the film was an instant classic and is still today a must-have on most people’s Halloween movie list.
Now, almost three decades later in Rhode Island’s own town of Lincoln, the sequel to the Halloween classic is finally starting its production process. Much of Rhode Island’s historic locations, specifically in Providence, the state’s capital, have reportedly been taken over to use as soundstages, beneficial for production. Unlike its predecessor, this spooky sequel will not be filming in Salem, Massachusetts, where most of the original film was made. While the reason for the change in filming location is unknown, production is set to begin this fall season (yes, right now!), with official filming to start soon after. In fact, the filming team, including the film’s director Anne Fletcher, is currently looking for extras in the New England area. It has begun! Time to get excited! If you love Kenny Ortega though, maybe you should not get too excited. His directing of the original film was entertaining and hilarious. Don’t get me wrong here, it is great that we are getting a sequel to Ortega’s Halloween classic. However, in researching the new production, I have not seen that Kenny Ortega is going to be involved in the production of the second film in any way. I know what you are all thinking: “Why not?” With no clear answers, it seems that, upon learning that a sequel was very likely, he simply chose not to be a part of it. He wished those who were going to be a part of creating it, “all the luck in the world”. Is Kenny Ortega kindhearted or what?
While no new pieces of casting news have been released yet, we know the most important thing: Bette Midler is back! You heard it here, Bulldogs. Midler is reprising her iconic and wickedly funny role as Winifred Sanderson. She is confirmed to return along with her two sisters, Sarah Jessica Parker (Sarah) and Kathy Najimy (Mary). Even more exciting: “Houston, we have plot!” True it is small, and not very detailed, but thanks to Disney, we have been given a sneak peek of what the new film will basically be about. So, we have three new characters named Becca, Izzy, and Cassie. We are not certain as to what the three girls’ relationship is, but for now, let us just assume they are all best friends. These three trouble-making girls unintentionally bring the Sanderson sisters back to life in present day Salem - again. According to an article on chipandco.com, they must work together to “stop the child-hungry witches from wreaking a new kind of havoc on the world.”
Hmmmm. This sounds oddly familiar. By the way, we should also just naturally assume that, like the original, this film takes place on Halloween. We can also be confident that there will be new plot twists to this second installment. Perhaps there will even be some sort of background story for the three scary sisters. Since the movie is all set to film in Rhode Island, the crew will also have to build some pretty realistic sets for us to believe the story is once again set in Salem. I am getting ahead of myself, though. For now, let’s just take a moment to appreciate the fact that we are getting a sequel to Hocus Pocus, and that it is filming in Rhode Island. A perfectly nice place to be able to film a perfectly spooky Disney Plus Original movie. That’s right folks! Hocus Pocus 2 is scheduled to premiere only on Disney Plus in the fall of 2022. Over the course of the next few months, maybe you should consider taking a trip down to Rhode Island. You can always see beautiful scenery, taste some amazing food, or even catch a glimpse of a Halloween movie set if you are in the town of Lincoln or Providence.
So keep an eye and ear out for any Hocus Pocus 2 news, enjoy the fall, and Happy National Rhode Island Day!
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