Evan Rachel Wood breaks silence on Practical Magic 2 snub

Evan Rachel Wood has finally addressed her absence from Practical Magic 2, sharing her honest feelings about not returning for the highly anticipated sequel to the 1998 cult classic. While promoting her latest project, The Shards, the actress spoke with Entertainment Tonight and admitted she is disappointed that she won’t be reuniting with the cast that helped shape one of her earliest film experiences. 

Wood portrayed Kylie Owens, the eldest daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character Sally Owens, in the original Practical Magic. The upcoming sequel, inspired by Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic, sees Joey King taking over the role of Kylie, while Maisie Williams has been cast as Antonia Owens, originally played by Alexandra Artrip. 

Reflecting on the decision, Wood said she understood why the filmmakers may have chosen a different direction. She explained that after reading The Book of Magic, she felt the novel could have allowed her character to return. However, she acknowledged that the movie appears to be taking a different creative approach, making her involvement less likely. 

Despite understanding the creative changes, the actress admitted the experience has been emotional. She said what hurts the most is missing the opportunity to reunite with the original cast and revisit the iconic house where much of the film was shot. According to Wood, those shared childhood memories are impossible to recreate and would have been meaningful not only for the actors but also for longtime fans of the beloved fantasy film. 

This is not the first time Wood has spoken about the sequel. In 2025, she revealed on social media that she had offered to return “even for one scene or one line,” but was informed that the roles were being recast. She emphasized that the decision was entirely out of her hands and said she would have happily returned if given the opportunity. 

Even so, Wood made it clear that she holds no ill will toward the production. She wished Joey King the very best in taking over the role and expressed hope that the new cast enjoys the same magical experience she had while filming the original movie nearly three decades ago. 

Practical Magic 2 will reunite original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman alongside returning cast members Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. The sequel is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 11, 2026, bringing the magical Owens family back to the big screen for a new generation of fans. 

Evan Rachel Wood has finally addressed her absence from Practical Magic 2, sharing her honest feelings about not returning for the highly anticipated sequel to the 1998 cult classic. While promoting her latest project, The Shards, the actress spoke with Entertainment Tonight and admitted she is disappointed that she won’t be reuniting with the cast that helped shape one of her earliest film experiences. 

Wood portrayed Kylie Owens, the eldest daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character Sally Owens, in the original Practical Magic. The upcoming sequel, inspired by Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic, sees Joey King taking over the role of Kylie, while Maisie Williams has been cast as Antonia Owens, originally played by Alexandra Artrip. 

Reflecting on the decision, Wood said she understood why the filmmakers may have chosen a different direction. She explained that after reading The Book of Magic, she felt the novel could have allowed her character to return. However, she acknowledged that the movie appears to be taking a different creative approach, making her involvement less likely. 

Despite understanding the creative changes, the actress admitted the experience has been emotional. She said what hurts the most is missing the opportunity to reunite with the original cast and revisit the iconic house where much of the film was shot. According to Wood, those shared childhood memories are impossible to recreate and would have been meaningful not only for the actors but also for longtime fans of the beloved fantasy film. 

This is not the first time Wood has spoken about the sequel. In 2025, she revealed on social media that she had offered to return “even for one scene or one line,” but was informed that the roles were being recast. She emphasized that the decision was entirely out of her hands and said she would have happily returned if given the opportunity. 

Even so, Wood made it clear that she holds no ill will toward the production. She wished Joey King the very best in taking over the role and expressed hope that the new cast enjoys the same magical experience she had while filming the original movie nearly three decades ago. 

Practical Magic 2 will reunite original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman alongside returning cast members Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. The sequel is scheduled to arrive in theaters on September 11, 2026, bringing the magical Owens family back to the big screen for a new generation of fans.