It would finally appear that fans of Josie and the Pussycats are all on the same page. We all agree that the film that came out in 2001 was a big underdog of a hit. Even though it didn’t do well theatrically, those who watched it were enamored and it has become a bit of a cult classic. And hey, it only took 25 years!
Oh and when we say it didn’t do well theatrically, it totally flopped. This adaptation of the Archie Comic Josie and the Pussycats grossed only about $14.9 million domestically against a $39 million production budget. Even Allen Cumming who played one of the villains in the film said that the marketing department for the movie totally flopped.
Now Racheal Leigh Cook who starred as Josie McCoy, the lead singer, guitarist, and ambitious leader of the band in the 2001 cult comedy has spoken out about her thoughts on a sequel to the film.
“I don’t think I would need to touch it myself,”
“I’m proud of what we made. Maybe if they did some time traveling, maybe there’s something that could be weird and interesting.”
“I do not think that there’s any talk of anything like that. It took long enough for people to get it the first time. We’re not gonna push our luck, I don’t think.”
Cook told People.
Looking back it would be hard for anything that was voiced by Letters to Cleo‘s Kay Hanley to be bad. It was such a well done soundtrack that it’s STILL being listened to by fans of the film. Hanley was the singing voice of Josie and if you like the sound of Letters to Cleo there’s no way you wouldn’t like the vibe of the movie.
The movie also featured the perfect cast, including Rosario Dawson and Tara Reid as her bandmates Val and Mel. Alan Cumming and Parker Posey were cast as evil Mega Records execs Wyatt and Fiona.
Cook mentions that the buzz around the film “feels awesome” after 25 years.
“People are rediscovering that movie after it being considered an absolute box-office flop and only getting its flowers as it were in the last couple of years, maybe the last decade or so,”
“I don’t know what to say. Better late than never,”
“I’m just grateful for it. It’s easy to make a movie that just sort of falls into the abyss. I’ve certainly made a lot of those, and I’m not saying they all deserve the Josie resurrection and treatment, but I’m just glad that this very deserving movie ultimately found an audience.”
Cook to People
So does this mean that a Josie and the Pussycats sequel is out of the question? No, not really. But I think a reboot would feel more appropriate after 25 years. Then they could make a sequel that would make sense. With character actors that would be ready to take on the role. It seems like Cook is more than happy to pass the torch on this one should the time come. Or in very specific circumstances, like a time travel scene she’d be willing to come back. In addition to time travel, an alternate reality gag would also be fun to watch.
