JENNY: Today, we're talking "Hocus Pocus 2,"
"Andor," and so much more.
I'm Jenny.
And I'm Andre.
This is "What's Up, Disney+," where
we talk all things Disney+.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
JENNY: Just in time for Halloween,
the Sanderson Sisters are back in "Hocus Pocus 2."
After a couple of teenagers light the black flame candle
on All Hallows' Eve, the sisters are resurrected
once more to wreak a new kind of havoc on the children of Salem.
We are so very excited to welcome
one of the stars of Disney's "Hocus
Pocus 2," Belissa Escobedo.
Hello!
Hi!
Welcome to the show, Belissa.
Thank you for having me.
Excited to be here.
Excited to have you here, and excited for "Hocus Pocus 2."
So I have to ask you, were you a fan
of "Hocus Pocus" growing up?
Oh, my gosh.
Absolutely.
Huge, huge fan.
I mean, my house, always covered in Sanderson sister merch
from probably September to all year round.
- That's a good Halloweenie. - (LAUGHING) Right?
Yes.
September's when we start.
Yes.
[LAUGHTER]
I also just have so many fond memories of watching
the movie growing up.
You know, my mom is a huge fan.
Not a Halloween season passes by if we
don't watch it at least twice.
- Your mom sounds cool. - She is.
JENNY: By the way.
No, she is.
She's super cool.
JENNY: Oh, my gosh.
Well, can you tell us about the sequel and what we can expect?
Yes, absolutely.
I think the sequel's a lot of fun.
I think people are going to love it.
It gives all those great nods to the original.
And you get to see more black cats,
more sinister magic, and the iconic Sanderson Sisters.
And then, you have three newbies, three teens,
and they're trying to navigate their way.
Navigate around the Sanderson Sisters--
Yeah.
--which is going to be interesting.
You know, typical night when you accidentally bring
back the Sanderson Sisters.
[LAUGHTER]
Happy Halloween. - It's happening!
- (LAUGHING) Exactly. - Oh, my god.
Yes.
So can you tell us about your character in "Hocus Pocus 2"?
Yes!
Oh, my gosh.
So my character is Izzy.
I love her so much.
She's so funny.
She's so sweet.
She's definitely the one who gets scared the easiest.
- Ooh. - You know?
[LAUGHS]
I think between, you know, Becca and Cassie,
who are her two best friends-- they grew up together--
she's just that one friend who's like, "Ooh, I love everything.
And I love everybody."
She's just such a light.
She's so positive, and you know, quirky.
She was a lot of fun to play.
Well, it's going to be interesting to see Izzy go up
against the Sanderson Sisters.
BELISSA ESCOBEDO: I know.
Once she said how, like, sweet she is I'm like, "Ay, pobrecita."
Ah, but also, uh-oh.
You're like, she's--
yeah.
She's going up against the Sanderson Sisters?
Well, that's actually what I was going
to ask you about because yes, you got to work
with the Sanderson Sisters.
What was it like being on set with this iconic cast?
Mind-boggling, honestly.
I don't think ever in my wee little
wildest dreams did I ever think I was going to be working
with the Sanderson Sisters.
I mean, just as actors, they're amazing, and it's awesome.
They know their characters so, so well.
Those personalities are so set that when you see them,
you're like, ah--
JENNY AND BELISSA: --there they are.
Was there a lot of, like, from the three of them,
like, I can't believe we're doing this again?
Like-- - Yeah!
[JENNY LAUGHS]
No, I think there were definitely
those moments that you could see them have, where it was like,
we're back.
Here we are.
You know?
And when that first moment happened that we got
to be there for, it was just so once-in-a-lifetime,
like, special.
You're watching a reunion.
Like-- - Yes.
Yeah.
Ugh, it was awesome.
So it's Hispanic and Latin American Heritage Month.
So how does it feel to be represented in a franchise
that you grew up with?
Feels amazing.
I mean, seriously, like, such an iconic franchise.
Halloween movies, my favorite genre of movies.
So to be represented in that, I mean, it feels like an honor
to have that, to be that for someone else, also.
There were so few representations on screen,
when I was growing up.
And I'm so happy that my cousins get to see this and be like,
there we are! - Yeah.
BELISSA ESCOBEDO: You know?
Because I think that's so important,
seeing yourself represented on screen, seeing
your community there, and especially in sequels
to movies that you love.
- (LAUGHING) Right? - Yes.
Come on.
[LAUGHTER]
So, amazing.
I love that we have this representation,
especially in this movie.
What inspires you to create more for your community?
There's so much untapped artistry out there,
and I think it's so important to bring that to kids
because that's our future generation of artists.
When I would see people, it would be a moment of where
I was like, I can do this.
You know, here we are.
And to know that I'm giving that back to my community
is so special.
And to think that my cousins, and their kids,
and their kids, and their kids are
going to be able to grow up with someone how they feel seen.
Do you feel there are aspects of your background
or your heritage that you bring into a role,
or even just into your everyday life?
BELISSA ESCOBEDO: I try to bring something of my heritage
with me in every single role.
I think for this one, it was more of
like my little sing-songy voice.
You know?
I've always thought Latinos kind of sing when they speak.
Yes.
BELISSA ESCOBEDO: And so that, I tried to bring to her.
And I think in my everyday life, I mean, the music, the dancing,
the food--
like, that is something that's incorporated into my everyday.
And something that I always make sure to celebrate
is Dia de Los Muertos. Wherever I am.
even if I'm shooting somewhere away from home, like,
I make sure to build a little tiny ofrenda in my hotel room.
That's so sweet.
Because I-- I truly think that's another thing
that's so beautiful about our heritage is how we value
our loved ones and honor them.
It's really beautiful. JENNY: Yeah.
And like, the quote--
I'm going to butcher it right now--
but you are your ancestors' wildest dreams.
Right, yeah. JENNY: Right?
So, I think about that all the time--
- Absolutely. - --like, where I'm at.
And I look at a picture of my abuelos, and I'm like, yeah,
I'm doing this for them.
You know, they'd be so happy that we're in "Hocus Pocus 2"
now, or whatever you're doing.
I mean, yes. It's--
BELISSA ESCOBEDO: It's definitely--
They're probably like, what's a TV?
But-- - Yeah.
What's a TV?
JENNY: They're like, this is so cool.
Like, look at where we're at now--
BELISSA ESCOBEDO: Absolutely.
--and making strides.
Yeah, exactly.
And that's what I'm sure we all hope to see in the generations
coming after us is, like, yes, you know,
you're doing an even bigger thing than I was doing,
and I love that. JENNY: Yes.
Yeah.
Well, speaking of fun roles, it definitely was fun
to see you in "Hocus Pocus 2."
I feel like it's going to be on repeat for this Halloween--
Woo! ANDRE: --for a lot of us.
Yes.
So congratulations.
And it's so great talking to you.
You're so fun to talk to.
Thank you.
Great to be here.
You can catch "Hocus Pocus 2," now streaming on Disney+.
And now, here's what's new.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
JENNY: This month and beyond, we invite you to seize the moment.
Through our Hispanic and Latin American Stories
Collection on Disney+, we hope to honor the values
and impact of the community and spark moments of togetherness.
From beloved classics like "Coco" and "West Side Story,"
to inspiring adventures like "Andor" and Encanto,"
join us in celebrating the cultures,
creators, talent, and music of Hispanic and Latin American
stories.
ANDRE: One team who's lost hope, one champion
who will never give up.
Don't miss "Save Our Squad with David Beckham,"
an Original series streaming November 9 on Disney+.
JENNY: What team?
Wildcats, get ready!
Season 4 of "High School Musical:
The Musical: The Series" is officially in production.
ANDRE: The cooperation between plants and animals
can make even the smallest creatures unstoppable.
"Super/Natural," from James Cameron
and narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch,
is now streaming on Disney+.
JENNY: "Dancing with the Stars" on Disney+?
It's definitely a 10.
Stream "Dancing with the Stars" live every Monday at 8pm Eastern,
5pm Pacific.
Jenny, I got to tell you, espionage is so much fun.
I'm spying.
I'm sneaking on to enemy ships.
I'm double-crossing, deciphering codes, sending secret messages.
I probably shouldn't be talking about it.
Yeah, that's pretty much the first rule of espionage.
OK.
Um, I'm going to need to un-tell some stories.
Good idea.
But before you do, let's talk "Andor."
Filled with danger, deception, and intrigue,
the "Star Wars" series is a tense, nail-biting spy thriller
featuring Diego Luna, who reprises his role
as rebel spy Cassian Andor.
Cassian embarks on the path destined
to turn him into a rebel hero.
For those who haven't started the series yet,
we sat down with "This Week in Star Wars" host, Kristin Baver,
to get you ready for "Andor."
Take a look.
Welcome back to the show, Kristin.
Thanks so much for having me, guys.
OK, Kristin.
Kick us off for all things "Andor."
All right, here we go.
In "Rogue One, a Star Wars Story,"
Cassian Andor is a rebel known for being
a ruthless assassin and spy.
He and a small team attempt to steal the schematic plans
for the Death Star, kicking off the events
of "Star Wars: Episode IV--
A New Hope."
The events of "Andor" take place five
years before "Rogue One," between Episodes
Three and Four.
At this point in the "Star Wars" saga,
the Republic has fallen, and the Empire's power
continues to grow as they rule with an iron fist
and consolidate their hold on the galaxy.
"Andor" tells the story of the burgeoning
rebellion as galactic citizens begin fighting back.
We'll see what makes Cassian the perfect undercover agent
capable of pulling off the most difficult missions.
The new series follows Cassian's journey
to discover the difference he can make
and his first steps on the path to becoming a rebel hero.
We cannot wait for this series.
What are you looking forward to the most?
Well, I've been waiting so long
for new Mon Mothma content.
I'm so excited for that.
But also, I just love Cassian Andor.
I can't wait to see more of him.
And Bee, the droid, is adorable.
Oh, yes, he is.
(LAUGHING) Yes, absolutely.
Well, thank you for joining us, Kristin.
Getting to talk "Star Wars" with you is always a
treat. And where can people find "This Week in Star Wars?"
"This Week in Star Wars" comes out
every Thursday on starwars.com and the "Star Wars"
YouTube channel.
Thanks so much for having me, guys.
This was great. - Oh, my gosh.
Thank you.
Hello, everyone.
I'm Diego Luna.
And I play Cassian Andor in "Andor."
The story is about the awakening of a revolutionary, how
a man finds out that he's capable of bringing
change and be part of something amazing.
We meet Mon Mothma in "Andor"
in a completely different place than she was in "Rogue One."
She's steeped in Empire, in a world of political intrigue.
And we will go on a journey to find
the woman that we already know and that we
love in "Rogue One."
It feels really incredible to be part of the almost 50-year
franchise of "Star Wars."
I grew up watching the original trilogy.
And it's only just started to hit me
how important and amazing exploring
this universe is for people-- for the fans,
but also the people that create it.
And I'm, like, super happy to be on board.
DENIS GOUGH: Audiences can expect
a really thrilling and human story when watching "Andor."
ADRIA ARJONA: It's full of adrenaline.
It kind of takes you on so many different turns and rides.
And you'll get to meet so many different characters,
and different planets, and different worlds
within this universe.
And I'm just so excited for people
to watch this and enjoy it.
DIEGO LUNA: There's nothing like this, you know?
I find a connection with the material and with the character
that I don't find with anything else.
Once you think you know what the series is about
and what kind of tone and feeling you're going to have,
then it evolves and moves somewhere else.
You know?
So audiences can make sure they will enjoy the ride.
You can catch "Andor," now streaming on Disney+.
JENNY: We lit the black flame candle with Belissa Escobedo
from "Hocus Pocus 2" and watched the rebellion begin in "Andor."
That's our show.
Be sure to head on over to Disney+
to stream all these and more.
Happy Hispanic and Latin American
Heritage Month, everyone.
And we'll see you next time.
Hang on, Andre.
How about a little spell before we go?
Oh, yeah.
Sure thing.
[CHANTING] Hitchita capita mellicka mysticka
Give them fur black as black, just like this.
[THUNDER RUMBLES]
[MEOWING]
Uh, Jenny?
Did you just put a spell on our entire crew
and turn them into black cats?
We'll see you next time.
How do you cut off the cameras?
They don't even have thumbs.
[MEOW]
[RUMBLING]
[SCREAMS]
Stop!
I am a good zombie.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]