We’re big fans of Hocus Pocus, the 1993 comedy fantasy movie about the Sanderson Sisters, a coven of witches who return to modern day to wreak havoc anew.
For us, the best thing about it was Thackery Binx, a teenage boy cursed to live in the body of a black cat. We say ‘cursed’, but he absolutely stole the show.
While sequel Hocus Pocus 2 features a black cat, it appears that Thackery will not be making a comeback himself. Rather, this new feline has a different name.
“That’s Cobweb!” revealed director Anne Fletcher in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Cobweb will reside with new character Gilbert (played by Sam Richardson) in the Salem Magic Shoppe, a local attraction that occupies the Sanderson Sisters’ former home.
There is indeed a black cat in ‘Hocus Pocus 2’ but it doesn’t talk!!! Meet Cobweb, the black cat that lives in the Magic Shoppe which is The Sanderson Sisters old home. #HocusPocus2 pic.twitter.com/Pga4F03sjJAugust 29, 2022
Currently, actor Jason Marsden (who provided the voice for Thackery in cat form) isn’t slated to reprise his role. However, there have been secret casting surprises before, so we wouldn’t exactly be astonished if this is an old bait-and-switch.
Taken on face value, however, it looks like Cobweb will be a different breed entirely. For a start, it doesn’t seem as if Cobweb will be able to talk – Fletcher insisted there were “no talking cats” this time round. Again, we wouldn’t be surprised if there was more than meets the eye on this one.
There is also the possibility that Cobweb doesn’t play a major role in this film, and their inclusion is simply a nod to the original. However, considering how popular Thackery was, with Fletcher herself calling Thackery “the heart” of the original film.
Regardless of the level of their role in the upcoming sequel, Cobweb – or rather the cat who portrays them – is already a star in our eyes. We look forward to seeing what the film has in store.
Hocus Pocus 2 is available to watch now on Disney+ worldwide.
