Doug Jones has addressed his possible return as Billy Butcherson, the zombie ex-boyfriend of witch Winnie Sanderson (Bette Midler), in the upcoming Hocus Pocus 3. The original 1993 movie was a theatrical disappointment but became a cult classic off the back of Halloween viewing, prompting a Disney+ legacy sequel in 2022 featuring the return of Jones and Midler along with Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy as Winnie’s sisters Sarah and Mary. No cast members have been officially confirmed for the upcoming Hocus Pocus 3, though returning director Anne Fletcher and screenwriter Jen D’Angelo are attached.
Screen Rant had the opportunity to sit down for an interview with Doug Jones while he was promoting his title role in the upcoming David Lee Fisher horror movie Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror, not to be confused with the upcoming Robert Eggers remake of the same silent horror classic starring Bill Skarsgård. When asked about the possibility of returning to the role of Billy, he expressed enthusiasm for the idea, saying he loves the character and that even before making Hocus Pocus 2, “I really wanted to find out more about him.”
However, he has not yet been approached to reprise his role in the new movie. He says this is the same process that happened with the previous installment, as “they needed to secure the three ladies first.” However, “if that call comes, my answer’s a big fat yes.” Read Jones’ full quote below:
No, unfortunately, you know as much as I do about this. I saw the same press release that Disney put out that you did and everybody did, that they had a part three in development. But I’ll tell you, I’m not going to be the first one they call, because even with Hocus Pocus 2, I got a call later in the pre-production game, because they needed to secure the three ladies first. Once their contracts were all signed and dated, that’s when I got a call that they were going ahead and so, then, Billy’s back in the second one. So would I do a part three? Abso-freaking-lutely, I would. If that offer comes, yes. But story-wise, I don’t know who’s involved, who would be involved in the development right now. Will the three original witches come back? Will Billy come back? That’s all yet to be determined from my end. I don’t have a part of those discussions. It’s a bit above my pay grade. Well, and again, if that call comes, my answer’s a big fat yes. I love Billy so much. And even from part one to part two, being a 29-year gap in those two movies, if you had asked me before Hocus Pocus 2 was ever made, “Is there a character you wanted to revisit in your career?” Billy’s the one. I really wanted to find out more about him, his backstory, more of his relationship with Winnie, what went wrong there. And we got some of that in Hocus Pocus 2, so I was very satisfied with that. And I’m also kind of tickled pink that it’s been living on Disney+ ever since it came out — the second one, the sequel. And now, for the first time, it’ll be airing all month long in October, playing as a double feature with Hocus Pocus 1, so those who have still have cable TV will be able to see it on the Freeform channel all month.
The Movie’s Progress Is Still Opaque
While Doug Jones cannot offer insight into how much progress has been made with the screenplay for Hocus Pocus 3, these new comments from the horror movie actor do seem to indicate that there are no major updates to be had on the seemingly dormant project. If he had heard from the production about potentially signing on, that likely would mean that Midler, Parker, and Najimy were already on board, but the fact that he hasn’t and that their casting has not yet been announced likely means the movie is still in an early stage of development.
Doug Jones is best known for playing monsters, particularly in the horror genre, including the Amphibian in
The Shape of Water
, the Pale Man in
Pan’s Labyrinth
, and the title character in
The Bye Bye Man
.
However, Jones’ comments reflect the continued enthusiasm of the Hocus Pocus 2 cast about the idea of potentially appearing in a sequel. In addition to the majority of the cast supporting the idea around the time the previous installment was released, in November 2023, Hannah Waddingham (who played the Mother Witch) told The Hollywood Reporter “I would be so down for that” and in July 2024 Midler herself prodded Disney via an EW interview to “get us while we’re still breathing.”
The Sequel Could Be Worth The Wait
While Doug Jones’ comments highlight the delays in the production of Hocus Pocus 3, it is possible that taking time to put the movie together could result in a more thoughtful and well put-together movie. This could help the franchise stay on its feet after a middling audience reception for the 2022 title, which has a Rotten Tomatoes audience score of 47% compared to the original movie’s significantly stronger 72%. However, it would likely also be best to strike while the cast remains enthusiastic, so Jones’ comments may help spur the sequel’s producers into action.
Source: Screen Rant, The Hollywood Reporter, & EW