Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Hocus Pocus 2Hocus pocus 2 includes a flashback scene showing the Sanderson sisters becoming witches, with three child actresses playing young versions of the iconic trio. The Late Sequel to 1993 Hocus Pocus brings the long-awaited return of the Sanderson sisters – Winifred, Mary and Sarah – once again played as adults by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker. This time, audiences get to see more of their origin story, with three perfectly cast children filling their boots in scenes set in Salem in 1653.
the plot of Hocus pocus 2 focuses on the Sanderson sisters as they attempt to cast the “Magicae Maxima” spell that turns an ordinary witch into an all-powerful witch. However, this spell comes with a caveat: the user must lose what they love most. The Magicae Maxima spell first comes to the attention of the Sanderson sisters when the Witch Mother (played by Hannah Waddingham) turns them all into witches in their youth, as depicted in the opening of the Hocus Pocus continuation. This flashback sequence sets the rest of Hocus pocus 2and thankfully, the three actresses who play the Sanderson sisters as children carry out this grand task, while also playing iconic roles and adding emotional depth to their backstory.
The three actresses who play the young Sanderson sisters in Hocus pocus 2 are: Taylor Paige Henderson as Winifred “Winnie” Sanderson, Nina Kitchen as Mary Sanderson and Juju Journey Brener as young Sarah Sanderson – characters coming from Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker, respectively. Not only do the performances do justice to the adult versions, but the younger portrayals of the characters give a new understanding of the Sanderson sisters’ actions in the Hocus Pocus movies. Henderson, who plays the title character in Studio Ghibli’s English-language dub Earwig and the Witchsteals the show in their Hocus pocus 2 scenes by perfecting Midler’s mannerisms and attitude and convincingly appearing as the most powerful of the sisters. In what appears to be her first major acting role, Kitchen does a fantastic job portraying a miniature version of the energetic Mary, while Brener bravely fills the role of Parker, playing the youngest of the Sanderson sisters. The latter previously appeared in the action thriller 2021 Vanquish.
Who plays the other residents of Salem in the flashbacks of Hocus Pocus 2
The flashback sequence in Salem in Hocus pocus 2 also includes some other interesting characters and cast members. In particular, the comedic actor Tony Hale (Arrested Development, Veep) plays Reverend Traske in the 17th-century scenes in addition to portraying the character’s descendant, the mayor of Salem, in the current portion of the film. Also the award-winning Hannah Waddingham, who plays Rebecca in Ted Lassois the aforementioned Mother Witch, who lives in the forbidden forest outside Salem.
In the city, Austin J. Ryan plays a young Billy Butcherson, Winnie Sanderson’s love interest who grows up in both Hocus Pocus movies like a zombie. And Thomas Fitzgerald portrays John Pritchett, a boy in Salem whom Winnie Sanderson is strongly encouraged to marry. However, Taylor Paige Henderson, Nina Kitchen, and Juju Journey Brener are the highlights of the important flashback scene, as all three add depth to the Sanderson sisters’ dynamism in Hocus pocus 2 and bring a new perspective on why the witches act the way they do as adults in both films. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and Sarah Jessica Parker can be proud of how their younger versions are portrayed in the sequel.
