Movies Original Thackery Binx voice actor not returning as black cat for Hocus Pocus 2 EW has confirmed Jason Marsden does not reprise his voice role as the beloved black cat Thackery Binx — a character whose human form was played by Sean Murray in the 1993 film. By Joey Nolfi Joey Nolfi Entertainment Weekly's Oscars expert, 'RuPaul's Drag Race' beat reporter, host of 'Quick Drag' Twitter Spaces, and cohost of 'EW's BINGE' podcast. Almost all of the drag content on this site is my fault (you're welcome). EW's editorial guidelines Published on June 28, 2022 02:11PM EDT A cat seemingly got voice actor Jason Marsden's tongue ahead of Hocus Pocus 2. The performer, who voiced the feline version of Thackery Binx — a 17th-century victim of the Sanderson Sisters cursed to live forever as a black cat — will not return for the Disney sequel, a source close to the actor tells EW exclusively. (Disney did not immediately respond to EW's request for confirmation.) Though Thackery's curse was broken (and his ghostly form reunited with his sister in the afterlife) when the witches were defeated at the end of the first film, fan speculation ran wild Tuesday morning after a black cat appeared in the film's teaser trailer. The cat looked eerily similar to the creature that accompanied Max (Omri Katz), Dani (Thora Birch), and Allison (Vinessa Shaw) as they battled the nefarious witches (Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy) through Salem after unwittingly resurrecting them from the dead on Halloween night. EW previously confirmed that Birch would also not reprise her role as an adult version of Dani due to filming conflicts. A source said that the original script had a "good supporting role" for Birch, who, if all had gone according to plan, would've worked to help three modern-day teens (Gossip Girl's Whitney Peak, Dirt's Lilia Buckingham, American Horror Stories' Belissa Escobedo) with their attempts to halt the Sanderson Sisters upon their second resurrection — this time in modern-day Salem. Jason Marsden won't return to voice Thackery Binx in 'Hocus Pocus 2'. Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic; Disney EW also confirmed that RuPaul's Drag Race stars Kornbread "The Snack" Jeté, Ginger Minj, and Kahmora Hall joined the cast for a scene featuring the queens as drag versions of the Sanderson trio. Alongside Midler, Parker, and Najimy, original Hocus Pocus actor Doug Jones also returned for the sequel in the role of Billy Butcherson, Winifred's zombified ex-lover, with series newcomers like Ted Lasso Emmy-winner Hannah Waddingham and Veep alums Tony Hale and Sam Richardson also boarding the ensemble. Cobweb the cat appears in the 'Hocus Pocus 2' trailer. Disney+ "I am beyond thrilled to be involved in the sequel to a film that is as beloved as Hocus Pocus," Fletcher said last year in a statement about the upcoming project. "Fans around the world have embraced these characters and have made this film a Halloween tradition whose popularity continues to grow, and how lucky am I to be back at Disney with these three extraordinarily talented ladies in the iconic roles they created, as well as our fabulous new additions to the cast?" Hocus Pocus 2, directed by Anne Fletcher, premieres Sept. 30 on Disney+. Watch the new trailer above. Subscribe toEW's BINGE podcast for full recaps of RuPaul's Drag Race, including weekly All Stars 7 recaps and reactions with the cast, special guests, and more. Related content: Black Flame Candle resurrects the Sanderson Sisters (and the book) in Hocus Pocus 2 teaser Kathy Najimy offered to call RuPaul to recommend Kornbread for Drag Race on Hocus Pocus 2 set Hocus Pocus 2 gets a release date as Disney unveils first footage: 'Lock up your children!' Drag Race stars Kornbread, Kahmora Hall join Hocus Pocus 2 as drag Mary and Sarah Thora Birch won't return as Dani in Hocus Pocus 2 Drag Race star Ginger Minj joins Hocus Pocus 2 as drag version of Bette Midler