Doug Jones Returns as Billy Butcherson in Hocus Pocus 2 Image

We have our first look at Doug Jones in the upcoming sequel Hocus Pocus 2. In the original film, released in 1993, Jones played Billy Butcherson, an ex of Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler) who was murdered by her back in 1693. He is brought back from the dead as a zombie 300 years later and joins the residents of Salem in their quest to put an end to the Sanderson Sisters’ reign.

It had been reported that Jones would reprise his role as Billy for Hocus Pocus 2, but no official images have been released of the character’s return. That changes now, as Entertainment Weekly has just released the first look photo of Billy Butcherson as he’ll appear in the sequel. Director Anne Fletcher also spoke about how wonderful it was to see the actor slipping back into that role once again.

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“It does something to your soul, it’s so surreal, it’s so mind-blowing,” Fletch told the outlet. “He’s in a moment of betrayal [in the scene], so you’re looking at this beloved character in such a way who’s been hurt, and it blows your socks off. I’ll never forget that.”

“I was really happy that Billy comes out of the grave talking,” Jones added. “It is seamless between the first movie and the second, that’s the first thing I felt. It keeps the pureness and nostalgia alive and well for those who grew up with the first movie, and for any new fans we’re gathering now will be excited about modernization for the current time we’re in. Billy came back to me immediately, it was frightening how he’s been alive while I’ve been playing other characters all these years, but, Billy’s like, ‘I wanted my chance again.'”

Related: Hocus Pocus 2 Won’t Bring Back Thackery Binx Voice Actor Jason Marsden

Billy Butcherson Will Get Another Chance to Help Stop the Sanderson Sisters

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In Hocus Pocus 2, Billy will still be friendly, and fans will also be able to learn more about his backstory. He should also look pretty familiar, even with almost three decades passing, as slipping back into that role even included wearing the very same wig the character had in the early 1990s.

“He was pretty decrepit to start with, and I come out of the grave looking exactly like two minutes have passed,” Jones said. “It was the exact same wig, they had it on a dummy on display for 29 years, they put it back on my head in the same style, it didn’t even need a touch-up. The costume was rebuilt to be the same as the first one, so I looked exactly the same.”

The actor added, “It was so nostalgic for me to look in the mirror and go, ‘You’re 30-nothing years old again.”

Hocus Pocus 2 will hit Disney+ on Sept. 30, 2022. Along with Jones, the film stars Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, Sarah Jessica Parker, Whitney Peak, Lilia Buckingham, Hannah Waddingham, Tony Hale, and Sam Richardson. You can see the full size image of Billy Butcherson’s return below.

You can view the original article HERE.