Nicole Kidman Says the Black Cat in ‘Practical Magic 2’ Stole the Show, and Sandra Bullock Picked It
Sequels to beloved cult classics carry a lot of pressure, especially when audiences have spent nearly three decades wondering what happened to their favorite characters. For ‘Practical Magic 2,’ that pressure falls squarely on the shoulders of Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, who are stepping back into the roles that helped define their careers.
The pair reprise their roles as witch sisters Sally and Gillian Owens 28 years after the original film, this time attempting to break the family curse that’s plagued generations of Owens women. Susanne Bier directs the sequel from a screenplay by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett, and Kelly Marcel, based on Alice Hoffman’s novel ‘The Book of Magic.’
But amid all the talk of returning cast members and generational curses, one particular co-star has quietly become the breakout star of the production. Kidman revealed that a black cat featured throughout the film left such an impression on her that she now considers it the best animal she’s ever worked with on camera.
Cats have a reputation for being unpredictable on set, but according to Kidman, this one defied expectations entirely. She noted that the cat did everything it was asked to do, a rarity for feline performers, and credited her co-star for finding the right one for the role.
As it turns out, Bullock was directly responsible for selecting the cat that ended up charming her castmate. Speaking on the BBC World Service’s The Arts Hour, Bullock admitted the decision came down to pure aesthetics, joking that she simply thought the cat was more attractive than the alternatives.
Kidman’s admiration for the cat isn’t purely professional, either. The actress shared a personal connection to the animal, recalling that her own family once had a black cat named Pinkle Purr, whose mother was a cat named Tattoo. Kidman, who has several pet cats of her own and has previously expressed interest in adopting a hairless sphynx, seems to have a genuine soft spot for feline co-stars.
Beyond the scene-stealing cat, the two actresses also opened up about the emotional core driving their characters in the sequel. Bullock explained that Sally makes the choice to erase her daughters’ memories of magic, believing it will protect them from heartbreak, though the decision ultimately backfires and puts them in greater danger instead.
The official trailer for ‘PRACTICAL MAGIC 2’ has been released.
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) June 24, 2026
In theaters this September. pic.twitter.com/zHZv6SoBWc
Kidman’s Gillian pushes back against that instinct throughout the film, arguing that Sally’s daughters need to understand their origins and embrace their power rather than hide from it. That dynamic mirrors the sisterly tension that made the original 1998 film such a lasting favorite, even as the sequel introduces a new generation of Owens women played by Joey King and Maisie Williams.
The returning cast also includes Dianne Wiest as Aunt Jet and Stockard Channing as Aunt Franny, alongside newcomers Lee Pace, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod. Together, the ensemble is tasked with carrying forward a story that’s remained a cult favorite for nearly 30 years, despite the original film’s modest box office performance upon release.
Whether critics ultimately embrace the sequel’s magic or not, it’s clear that at least one member of the cast has already won over its stars completely, and it isn’t even human. For a franchise built on themes of family, sisterhood, and a little bit of chaos, having a scene-stealing black cat along for the ride feels entirely fitting.
Who do you think will steal the show in Practical Magic 2?
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