Unlocking the Secrets of Mother Witch's Hocus Pocus

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Mother Witch Hocus Pocus Mother Witch Hocus Pocus is a folk tale and concept that has been popularized in various cultures and literary works. It refers to the magical powers and abilities of a mother witch, who is often portrayed as having the ability to cast spells, brew potions, and possess mystical knowledge. In folklore and mythology, witches are often associated with dark and mysterious powers. They are believed to have the ability to manipulate the elements, control minds, and shape-shift. In many stories, the mother witch is depicted as the most powerful and influential figure among witches, possessing years of experience and wisdom. The term "Hocus Pocus" is often used in connection with magical incantations and spells.



Hocus Pocus 3 writer teases sequel, potential expansion of Hannah Waddingham's mother witch

Writer Jen D'Angelo gives EW a status update on the Disney sequel.

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Published on October 26, 2023

The minds behind Hocus Pocus 3 are brewing up a fresh potion of sisterly magic, screenwriter Jen D'Angelo exclusively tells EW.

Though the months-long WGA strike slowed Disney's development of a third Hocus Pocus film amid the streaming success of Hocus Pocus 2, D'Angelo says she's currently working on continuing the story of the Sanderson Sisters witches with "full idealism" over the potential return of Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy in the third film.

"We're still in the story phase, we're still working on it. We've been working on some ideas, and 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," D'Angelo says, going on to tease her interest in expanding on a key character from the 2022 sequel. "We've only scratched the surface of Hannah Waddingham's mother witch."

Hannah Waddingham in 'Hocus Pocus 2'; Kathy Najimy, Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker in 'Hocus Pocus 2'. Disney+ (2)

D'Angelo confirms that no storylines are concrete just yet and that she and Disney continue to explore where they might take the Sanderson Sisters next.

When asked if Waddingham's sorceress — who's seen bestowing child versions of Winnie, Mary, and Sarah with their beloved Book in a brief prologue set in 1600s Salem — is the same "mother" the ladies reference throughout the script of director Kenny Ortega's 1993 original, D'Angelo confirms.

"I believe that she's that mother, that she is the scorpion pie mother, and that they had a much more significant relationship with her than we've yet to see," D'Angelo says. "But, maybe we will see."

She adds that "anything's on the table" for Hocus Pocus 3, but the one thing that runs consistently is that "we for sure want to see them again as adults" in the upcoming project, though she was enamored by the young actors who portrayed them as children at the beginning of the second movie.

"I'm hoping that we are able to explore every aspect of these stories and take these characters on a bunch of fun adventures. 3 is still very much in the early stages, we don't really know what it is, but we're exploring all options and I think everybody is so delighted by the reaction that Hocus Pocus 2 got, and we're excited to continue those stories," D'Angelo finishes.

EW has reached out to Disney and a representative for Waddingham for comment.

The Sanderson Sisters return in 'Hocus Pocus 2'. Disney+

D'Angelo also says she's aware of and wants to engage with what fans want to see from such a nostalgia-driven franchise — up to a specific limit.

"I want to do right by the fans and I definitely want to keep in mind what they want to see, but, at the same time, I feel like movies can go slightly awry when they're only catering to the fans and trying to check off a list, like, 'We got this and this, so the fans should be happy,'" D'Angelo admits. "In reality, you want to make sure that the movie is solid on its own, and the fan service moments are baked into the story and that they're satisfying and not just tacked on."

Hocus Pocus 2 earned positive critical reviews and broke records upon its September 2022 debut on Disney+, with the studio eventually confirming over the summer that a third film was in the works. It's also been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding TV Movie. Though Midler, Parker, Najimy, and Billy Butcherson actor Doug Jones returned for the second installment, ex-child actors Omri Katz (Max), Vinessa Shaw (Allison), and Thora Birch (Dani) did not, prompting criticism from many of the series' hardcore fans.

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Hocus Pocus 3 writer weighs in on who Mother Witch is

Every Hallow’s Eve, the Sanderson Sisters rise from the dark to take the souls of young children. Hocus Pocus is a staple, with the sequel giving fans more backstory on the sisters and Mother Witch (Hannah Waddingham) – the woman who gave them their powers.

The original 1993 movie by Kenny Ortega has become a spooky season cult classic. A teen virgin who recently moved to Salem, Massachusetts finds himself lighting the Black Flame candle. He awakens the Sanderson Sisters from beyond the grave. The movie itself never really explored Sarah (Sarah Jessica Parker), Winifred (Bette Midler), and Mary’s (Kathy Najimy) origins.

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Fans knew was the three sisters lured children to their home to suck their souls and become everlastingly youthful again. They were then killed by hanging by the local townspeople vowing to return. In Hocus Pocus 2, fans got a small tidbit of their original in the 1600s and the witch who bestowed upon them the Book.

Only known as Mother Witch, Hocus Pocus 3 writer Jen D’Angelo gives her two cents on how Mother Witch could tie into the original movie storyline.

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The term "Hocus Pocus" is often used in connection with magical incantations and spells. It is believed to have originated from the Latin phrase "Hoc est corpus meum," which is used in Christian religious ceremonies. Over time, "Hocus Pocus" has become associated with the magic and sorcery performed by witches and is now commonly used to describe any magical or mysterious action.

Is Mother Witch the same mother from Hocus Pocus?

According to Jen D’Angelo the mother the Sanderson Sisters often refer to in the original Hocus Pocus could very well be the Mother Witch fans see in the sequel.

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Throughout the first movie, the sisters often think back to their mother and their love for her scorpion pie. But fans never really know if their mother was also a witch or not. In Hocus Pocus 2, the young Sanderson sisters are the town outcasts.

Fans do know the three sisters are technically orphans when Winifred is angered by an arranged marriage set up by the Reverand. He saw it as his due diligence since their father’s death.

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When angering the Reverand over the marriage rejection, he vows to take Winifred’s sisters. They flee to the forbidden woods. While there, they meet a witch who smells Winifred’s innate powers. Known as Mother Witch, she bestows upon them the Book.

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The character isn’t seen for the rest of the movie. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, D’Angelo believes Mother Witch could be the mother referred to in Hocus Pocus.

“I believe that she’s that mother, that she is the scorpion pie mother, and that they had a much more significant relationship with her than we’ve yet to see,” said the writer. “But, maybe we will see.”

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With the unique personalities that the Sanderson sisters have, it’s also possible that their mother was out of the ordinary. After all, they find an herbal gelatin with a drop of blood appetizing.

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Hocus Pocus 3 is still in the writing stage with D’Angelo expressing her desire to further explore the three characters as adults and having only scratched the surface of Mother Witch’s character.

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The power of Hannah Waddingham's character Mother Witch in "Hocus Pocus 2"

Mother witch hocus pocus

The mother witch, often portrayed as an old woman, is seen as the guardian of ancient knowledge and traditions. She passes on her magical abilities to younger generations and helps protect the balance between the mortal world and the supernatural realm. Mother witches are often depicted as wise and caring figures, using their powers to heal, protect, and guide those in need. Despite their benevolent nature, mother witches can also be portrayed as wild and unpredictable. They are often associated with cackling laughter, broomsticks, and conventional witch imagery. This portrayal has been perpetuated through various forms of media, such as books, movies, and Halloween traditions. Mother Witch Hocus Pocus has captured the imagination of people worldwide, becoming an iconic symbol of magic and enchantment. The stories and legends surrounding mother witches continue to inspire creativity, spark curiosity, and entertain audiences of all ages..

Reviews for "The Role of Spells and Incantations in Mother Witch's Hocus Pocus"

1. John - 2/5 - I was really looking forward to watching "Mother Witch Hocus Pocus" based on the intriguing synopsis, but sadly I was left disappointed. The storyline felt disjointed and the pacing was all over the place. I couldn't connect with the characters either, as their development felt shallow and underdeveloped. The special effects were also quite disappointing, lacking the wow factor that I expected. Overall, "Mother Witch Hocus Pocus" failed to live up to my expectations and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. Sarah - 2.5/5 - I had high hopes for "Mother Witch Hocus Pocus" since I enjoy fantasy films, but it just didn't do it for me. The plot felt predictable and cliché, lacking any originality. The acting was decent, but the script didn't offer much depth to the characters. Additionally, the music was forgettable and didn't enhance the viewing experience. While the film had some visually appealing moments, it wasn't enough to save it from feeling lackluster. Overall, "Mother Witch Hocus Pocus" fell short of its potential and left me unsatisfied.
3. Emily - 1/5 - "Mother Witch Hocus Pocus" was a complete waste of my time. The story was confusing and made little sense. The acting was subpar, with some actors delivering cringe-worthy performances. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it hard to become emotionally invested in the film. Furthermore, the special effects were laughable and looked like they were pulled straight from a low-budget production. I cannot find any redeeming qualities in this film and would strongly advise against wasting your time on it.

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