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Interview: Doug Jones & Sam Richardson Talk Honoring HOCUS POCUS Fans Through New Sequel
May 17, 2024
Doug Jones has returned as Billy Butcherson for Hocus Pocus 2 and joining him in the film is Sam Richardson, who plays the new character of Gilbert. Watch BroadwayWorld's new video interview with Jones and Richardson as they discuss what to expect from the new and returning characters, Hocus Pocus' die-hard fans, the film's legacy, and more.
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0:00
Hi, guys. How are you
0:01
Hi. Wonderful. I am so excited that Hocus Pocus 2 is finally here
0:07
Doug, I want to start with you. What was it like when you first got that call that you were coming back for Hocus Pocus 2
0:14
Well, after rumors afloat for many years to get a call that was officially from someone who knew dates on the calendar
0:22
It was really happening. I said, it's about time. My second comment was, yes, I'm in
0:27
I hadn't seen a script, didn't know anything. I just knew that, yes, if all the pieces are in place, I want to be on that playing board for sure
0:35
An automatic, yes. I love it. When you're back on set, what was it like to finally be back in that character after all these years
0:43
Yeah, right. Well, seeing myself in the mirror in the makeup trailer was number one
0:47
My original makeup artist, Tony Gardner, was with me, recreating my look all over again
0:52
And the costume was exactly what a recreation of the exact same thing I wore in the first movie
0:57
The wig was the original wig. I had been on a mannequin in our producer, David Kirchner's house for all these years
1:04
They took the wig off, put it back on me. Boom, it was ready to go. So seeing that was, it was absolutely surreal because I looked at myself going, my gosh
1:12
nothing has changed at all. It was exactly the same. But I felt a tad older because I am
1:19
But looking at that, it's like, well, okay, maybe I still got it. I don't know
1:24
Yeah, it was lovely. Yeah. And Sam, you're playing a newer character who is sort of
1:29
of a Sanderson sisters expert, like I'm sure many Hocus Pocus fans would consider themselves
1:35
Had you been a fan of the original movie all these years? I'm maybe more of a fan than Gilbert is, to be honest
1:42
So then to get to come in, and I've grown up watching this movie since it first came out
1:47
and it's like such a part of me. I'm as much of an Uber fan as a Ganybody
1:53
So to get to be in the movie as a fan of the Sanderson Sisters and like the history of the movie is like a sort of meta surreal inception sort of thing to get to play and like participate in it It was wild and I really enjoyed
2:09
doing it and I still can't believe that I got to. Yeah. Aside from what we've said already
2:14
what else can audiences expect from this new character? From this new character, you know
2:20
maybe a little bit of magic, you know, a little bit of friendship, a little bit of sneakery
2:30
Ooh, a big three. This sequel has been like so highly anticipated all of these years
2:39
What do you hope the films like die hard fans take away from this movie for both of you
2:45
Nostalgia. I hope that they take away like, oh, that's my childhood and I get to continue with it
2:50
as an adult. And new kids, I hope they have a good two-parter
2:54
to put on their shelf as a collection. And it feels like it's kind of a
3:00
it's all one big movie, part one and two, because the flow between the two
3:03
is almost seamless, even though it takes place in different eras, but you don't really know that
3:09
I think fans of the original movie will appreciate how much care has gone into
3:14
of appreciating the original movie and continuing into this new movie. I think people who are just new to it
3:20
will really appreciate how full and rich of a story it is
3:24
and its messages and sort of performances are all pop-notch. So I think for fans new and old
3:33
this is gonna be one to watch many times. Yes, it is such a great movie to honor the original
3:40
but also carry the sort of plot and like incorporate so many new exciting parts into the film
3:48
Looking over just the hocus pocus culture as a whole and its whole legacy
3:53
what is it like being a part of something that is beloved by so many I tell you for me I grew up watching The Wizard of Oz Every year it was a family sit event And if you miss it on network television then you missed it
4:07
Because there was no home video. There was no streaming back then. So to be in a movie that feels like that
4:14
hocus-pocus has become the sit-down with the family movie that you collect around Halloween time every year, watch parties
4:21
all these kind of, I hear about all of it on social media now, with pictures like, hey, we're having a party
4:25
Tagged Doug Jones. It was so sweet. So to be, it feels like
4:30
like I have been in something that's been a tradition for people for low these many years
4:35
and to get to do a sequel and bring new characters in that I adored working with to
4:41
it's just a continuation of this, of this one big happy family movie
4:46
Yeah. And Sam, what is it like sort of getting to, A, watch all of that
4:50
and then sort of be able to walk into this big culture and legacy
4:54
Oh, well, you know, like, I'm part of the fan culture of it
4:59
So not like to be part of both, can be a fan of the movie and then also a part of the movie is
5:05
I think there's only a few tickets to that ride. I have one of them
5:10
So it's truly immeasurable how much joy it gives me. Yes. Well, last question
5:18
What scene or moment from the movie without giving too much away are you most excited for fans to see
5:24
The part where the earth explodes. I don't think that that's not in the movie
5:29
Uh-oh. You're thinking of something else. Hmm. I think when the characters from the first film
5:42
We Four Immortals, return. That seemed to be a moment of like
5:47
oh, they're back, you know, whatever it is. That's fun. And then carrying on with new
5:54
It's a new adventure from there. Yeah, for me. And new songs And new music Yes A couple of musical numbers that will put you on your ear yeah you know you know what i saying there you go i banished thee from sailor forever they were right to fear thee
6:19
magic has a way of uniting happy 16th birthday child I have a gift for my favorite customers
6:31
Legend has it. It's on the 16th birthday that a witch gets her powers. Ah! Lock up your children
6:45
Yes, Salem, we're back! Gilbert! Where did you get that candle? We have to get out of here. The witches will be here any second
6:53
The book is alive! He woke up? If we intend to live past sunrise, we have to steal their souls
7:07
Oh, whoa, wait, can we talk about this? No. We must fly
7:13
We have been a mock out! Let's get, let's get, let's get, that, get, that
7:21
Not to freak out, the preventful maniac obsessed with getting revenge on Salem sounds very bad for Salem
7:56
Stop! I am a good zombie
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