Evan Rachel Wood Wasn’t Invited Back for Practical Magic 2 – And She’s Not Happy About It
Evan Rachel Wood is opening up about missing out on Practical Magic 2, revealing that she was not invited back to reprise her role from the original 1998 movie.
The actress, who played Kylie Owens, the daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character Sally Owens, spoke about the situation during an interview with Entertainment Tonight while attending the FX premiere of The Shards. Wood explained that she was disappointed because she had hoped to return, even for a small appearance.
Wood said she had offered to be part of the sequel in any way possible, but the production decided to recast the role. Joey King has taken over the role of Kylie, while Maisie Williams will play her younger sister Antonia, originally portrayed by Alexandra Artrip.
During her conversation with Entertainment Tonight, Wood shared her thoughts on why she believes her return would have made sense based on the original story.
“I read the book, and it seems like they’re not following the book,” Wood said. “I think, in the book, it would have made sense to bring me back. I think in the way they’re approaching it, the way they’re doing it, it didn’t make sense.”
The actress also explained that the emotional connection between the original cast made the decision harder. She said she felt sad that she and Artrip would not get the chance to return as adults and reunite with the cast they worked with as children.
“We bonded with that cast so much as children. And so, to miss out on the opportunity to look at that cast and look at that house as an adult and see the history in our eyes is something that can’t be faked,” Wood said.
She added that she was disappointed mainly because of what it meant for fans of the first film, but she still wished the new cast well.
“I’m sad that that doesn’t get to exist, especially for the fans,” Wood said. She also shared her support for Joey King, saying she hoped the new cast had a great experience making the film.
Wood previously addressed her absence from Practical Magic 2 in July 2025 through social media. At the time, she explained that fans had been asking if she would appear in the sequel and confirmed that she was not involved.
“I was not asked to come back and be in the #PracticalMagic sequel. I offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line,” Wood wrote. She added that she was told the roles were being recast and that the decision was not hers.
Wood is not the only original cast member who will not return. Aidan Quinn, who played Gary Hallet in the first movie, previously told SPIN 1038 that he also was not asked to return. Quinn said he would have accepted the opportunity if he had been invited.
“I wasn’t asked; I would have said yes, but I wasn’t asked; of course I would,” Quinn said.
Despite the missing original cast members, Practical Magic 2 will bring back several familiar faces. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are returning as Sally and Gillian Owens, along with Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest as Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny.
The sequel takes place 25 years after the events of the first film and follows the Owens family as new magical challenges threaten the next generation. According to the official story details, Sally’s daughter Kylie begins discovering hidden family secrets and new abilities, forcing the family to confront the curse that has followed them for generations.
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