Warning: This article contains spoilers forHocus Pocus 2.
So, what’s in store for the new, magically inclined threesome?
Read on for the full conversation.
Lilia Buckingham as Cassie, Whitney Peak as Becca, and Belissa Escobedo as Izzy in ‘Hocus Pocus 2.'.Disney +
Did you audition knowing you were the equivalents to the sisters?
BELISSA ESCOBEDO:Not at all.
They didn’t tell us how we were going to be introduced to the witches.
The Sanderson Sisters ride again in ‘Hocus Pocus 2.'.Disney +
LILIA BUCKINGHAM:When I auditioned, I feel like Cassie was a completely different character.
If we tried to pick up their behavior, it’d be a different movie.
That might take away from our characters.
Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Cobweb the cat in ‘Hocus Pocus 2.'.Disney+
BUCKINGHAM:The script does enough with similar undertones in each characters’ arc.
ESCOBEDO:Watching it [at the premiere] I was like, hey, I know that scene!
That scene put me in a mental pickle.
It’s very meta.
ESCOBEDO:Like, how does Salem know about everything with the Sanderson Sisters?
It’s a cute little idea.
BUCKINGHAM:Does Bette Midler exist in theHocus Pocuscinematic universe?
Do I, as Lilia Buckingham?
ESCOBEDO:One of the most iconic lines!
There’s a remarkable shift in tone for Winifred after her sisters perish because of Magic Maxima.
Seeing that, through the screen, it’s translated well.
But, seeing her do that monologue live was life changing.
BUCKINGHAM:The crew gave a standing ovation.
PEAK:She was improvising.
It was different each time.
BUCKINGHAM:It was like Bette saying goodbye to her character, almost.
What was the initial ending?
BUCKINGHAM:We also didn’t have the scene of us walking in the park.
That was [additional photography].
The final shot is great.
PEAK:It was scripted.
BUCKINGHAM:I was horrible at it!
I kept messing up.
I’m so sorry, you guys.
It’s impossible, but something came over [the characters] in that moment.
If you listen, they’re like, “That’s what they did in the Walgreens.
And then we run off [grunting].
BUCKINGHAM:It’s a tribute to instead of a recreation.
How do you interpret the last scene, with the bird following you?
What do you think happens next for Becca, Izzy, and Cassie?
PEAK:It’s an open-ended movie.
So much could happen next.
Both extremes, too.
ESCOBEDO:Wediddo that.
BUCKINGHAM:If there’s a third, I want one of us to get corrupted by the power.
I just know it would be Cassie.
ESCOBEDO:I think you could never fully get rid of the Sanderson Sisters.
PEAK:They can always come back.
It would be hard to create a third movie without the Sanderson Sisters, because it’s their movie.
It’s hard to imagine what a movie would be like without them.
BUCKINGHAM:Maybe a Hannah Waddingham prequel.
More Hannah Waddingham screen time.
ESCOBEDO:What if Hannah Waddingham comes back for us?
She’s the bird at the end.
ESCOBEDO:Yes, she transforms into the bird in the beginning.
Technically we never saw what happened to the Witch.
PEAK:We know she’s not dead.
Did you reach out to the original teens for advice?
I didn’t have the confidence.
I think it would’ve been received much nicer [by them].
BUCKINGHAM:I didn’t want to bother them!
ESCOBEDO:We almost had Thora Birch.
We reported that in March.
ESCOBEDO:We almost had her.
She was going to be our schoolteacher.
Was it just one scene?
PEAK:I think it would’ve been a bigger role if it was played by her.
BUCKINGHAM:We had to have a mentor figure.
Do you remember any other changes?
Blazer, jeans, white trainers, reading her SundayNew York Times.
Like, you’re the coolest person on the planet.
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