Nina Kitchen as younger Mary, Taylor Henderson as Younger Winifred, and Juju Brener as younger Sarah in “Hocus Pocus 2.” Matt Kennedy, Disney Enterprises
Nina Kitchen as younger Mary, Taylor Henderson as younger Winifred and Juju Brener as younger Sarah in “Hocus Pocus 2.” Matt Kennedy, Disney Enterprises
Twenty-nine years after “Hocus Pocus” launched the world to the Sanderson Sisters, the sequel now brings the trio of witches again to fashionable civilization, this time swapping out brooms for Roombas.
However “Hocus Pocus 2” additionally goes again in time, giving viewers considerably of an origin story for the Sanderson Sisters. Within the opening scene — which has up-and-coming actresses taking part in youthful variations of the sisters — we find out how the Sanderson Sisters found magic and got here in possession of the ebook of spells.
They don’t get a whole lot of display time, however the actresses who tackle the youthful variations of the Sanderson Sisters do a exceptional job of bringing the little quirks of their characters to life — particularly Taylor Paige Henderson, who does an uncanny impersonation of Bette Midler’s Winifred Sanderson.
Who performs younger Winifred Sanderson in ‘Hocus Pocus 2’?
“Hocus Pocus 2” is Taylor Paige Henderson’s greatest mission to this point, however the 15-year-old from Amarillo, Texas, isn't any stranger to the stage.
Her lifetime of appearing started on the age of 5, when she took on the function of an oyster in Amarillo Little Theatre’s manufacturing of “Alice in Wonderland,” in accordance with West Texas A&M College, the place Henderson’s mom is an teacher in political science/public administration.
“She had about 45 seconds in ‘Alice in Wonderland,’” her mom, Melissa Henderson, stated. “And he or she couldn’t wait to do it once more.”
Henderson went on to carry out in roughly 20 productions on the theater. On the age of 11, with assist from her dad and mom, she secured an appearing coach in New York Metropolis, per West Texas A&M College. She started starring in skilled theater productions in San Antonio, and in 2020, starred in her first movie, Studio Ghibli’s “Earwig and the Witch,” KFDA-TV reported.
“It’s positively been fascinating and positively been a problem,” Melissa Henderson instructed West Texas A&M College of balancing her personal profession together with her daughter’s burgeoning curiosity in appearing. “Taylor, although, is at an age the place she will now do a whole lot of this on her personal — the auditions, call-backs, studying her traces. In a few years, she will likely be leaving residence for her profession, and the reins will likely be fully handed over to her.
“She’s at all times been drawn to the humanities,” she continued. “Similar to a child who does something at a excessive stage, be it sports activities or music, as a mother or father you juggle that and assist your children attain their potential and the targets they've set.”
Nina Kitchen as younger Mary, Taylor Henderson as younger Winifred and Juju Brener as younger Sarah in “Hocus Pocus 2.”
Matt Kennedy, Disney Enterprises
Henderson’s work in “Earwig and the Witch” led her to “Hocus Pocus 2.” After touchdown the function of younger Winifred Sanderson, the teenager watched “Hocus Pocus” each night time earlier than arriving on set, in accordance with Hollywood Life. However nothing ready her greater than seeing Midler in motion.
“The minute she stepped in entrance of the digicam in her costume, it was simply on,” the teenager instructed KFDA-TV. “She was Winnie. It was insane.”
Now, Henderson can also be part of the long-lasting character — one thing she nonetheless has a tough time believing.
“It’s fairly loopy that this Halloween, I get to look at myself,” Henderson instructed West Texas A&M College. “‘Loopy’ is about the easiest way to explain it.”
How one can watch ‘Hocus Pocus 2’
“Hocus Pocus 2” launched Sept. 30 on Disney+. Up to now, the movie has obtained blended opinions. Based on Rotten Tomatoes, critics are liking it barely greater than viewers, with a 61% rating in comparison with an viewers rating of 55%.
The movie is rated PG for macabre humor, motion and a few language.