The Valley Breeze
Disney filmmakers eye Chase Farm Park
By NICOLE DOTZENROD
7/21/2021
Bette Midler as Winifred Sanderson
LINCOLN – The Sanderson Sisters are back.
That is, the trio of witches played by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy are reuniting this fall to film a sequel to the beloved cult classic film “Hocus Pocus.”
Filmmakers have been given permission to build a set and film scenes for the Disney movie right here in Lincoln.
Representatives from Fairy Dust Productions, a Disney company, came before the Lincoln Town Council recently to pitch their set idea for Chase Farm, which was described as a 1600s village, complete with two-story building facades.
“Think: Plymouth Plantation,” said location manager Alex Berard. “We just like the backdrop of Chase Farm. It has that old New England farm look.”
Spoiler alert: Asked by the council whether pyrotechnics would be involved, filmmakers said they’d be looking to do a controlled burn on one of the buildings.
“We have to get our special effects people involved with the fire department to schedule a controlled burn of one of the buildings,” Berard said in July. “… But no explosions.”
Most of the filming will be done at night, or early in the morning.
The original film is set in Salem, Mass., opening in the year 1693 when Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson are accused of witchcraft and set to be executed. Thanks to a curse, the witches are summoned back to life on Halloween night 300 years later to wreak havoc on the town.
Representatives from Fairy Dust Productions will likely sign a set agreement with the town, which includes a payment to Lincoln for allowing them to film at the park.
The details of the agreement haven’t been finalized yet, but the set has already begun to take shape at Chase Farm Park. Film crews are eyeing early October to begin shooting scenes there.
The film is scheduled to be released on Disney+ in the fall of 2022.
Though fans of the movie will be excited to experience a sprinkle of Disney magic in Lincoln, the filming will directly impact plans for the town’s 150th-anniversary parade set for early October.
Lincoln’s Memorial Day Parade was postponed due to COVID-19 this year and last. It was rebranded to the 150th Anniversary Parade and pushed to Columbus Day weekend.
Due to filming at Chase Farm, the parade has been postponed again to Saturday, Oct. 30. The event will conclude at Chase Farm with a food truck event.
Members of the parade committee said more information will be coming in the next few weeks about their plans for this year’s event.
Why am I still sitting on a fence as to whether this is really going to happen? This sequel took a very long time to announce, original director was replaced, pretty much no cast has been announced aside from Bette, Sarah and Kathy, the filming dates and locations have changed more than once, and we pretty much don’t know a lot about the storyline.
Is this pre-production in disarray, or is it getting a hush-hush Marvel-type or big-budget treatment where everything is being kept under wraps? Could be, there’s bound to be a lot of hype around it when it advances. I realize there’s still quite some time before Fall 2022, but it seems to be advancing at a snail’s pace. Covid precautions? I’m optimistic, but it does seem there might be something going on behind the scenes that appears a bit amiss. Maybe I’m just being over-anxious? Alright, I’m just going to calm down.
I just can’t help but believe it has to do with corona. It seems to be playing havoc with other fillings, both Tv and movie. That’s what I’m going with. xx
Will “they” be using extras? Do you know who is the contact? Would it be Fairy Dust Productions or Disney? I live in Cumberland, RI and I feel Chase Farm is perfect for movie.
All the information is in the article.
I think that part of it has to do with Corona-restrictrions but for the most part they just keep things under wraps because this is going to be huge! I am sure they will release it not only on Disney+ but simultaneously on the big screen (as done with Black Widow) – at least for a weekend, and probably in combination with the original Hocus Pocus movie (they tested its power/magic in theaters last year to stunning results) as a double treat. The director did not leave a sinking ship but is still on board, with Anne Fletcher – his creative partner of many decades and one of the most succuessful female directors of all time – now at the helm with Shankman still overseeing the production. I am sure that this will be one of the biggest movies of 2022 – and Disney knows it.
Plus they’re looking for a diva-ish mother for the Sanderson sisters as well. But the Corona is fucking with a lot more schedules than