When Practical Magic 2 was first announced, a big question mark surrounded whether Evan Rachel Wood would return to play the child from the 1998 original. The answer was no, and Wood, who played the daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character, was replaced by Joey King. However, the actor has claimed she was not told in advance by anybody working on the film until King herself informed her of the news.
She told her Instagram followers: “I am getting asked about this a lot, so I’ll just clear it up now; 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. I was told they are re-casting.
It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters.” She also told Entertainment Tonight in July that she “hadn’t had the chance to connect” with King about the character she originated. New subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial.
Plan auto-renews until cancelled. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. At the premiere of new series The Shards, Wood said she was particularly disappointed not to be cast in the film, as she would have liked “the opportunity to look at that cast and look at that house as an adult and see the history in our eyes”, adding: “I’m sad that doesn’t get to exist, especially for the fans.” Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back as witches Sally and Gilly Owens alongside Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, who also starred in the original, which was directed by Griffin Dunne.
King has joined the cast alongside Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams in playing Sally’s daughters, who were originally portrayed by child actors Wood and Alexandra Artrip. The sequel, directed by Susanne Bier, is based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic, and follows the Owens family as they confront the return of a curse that kills the people they love. At the European premiere of the film last month, Kidman told The Independent that Practical Magic 2 was made because of the fans’ love for the original movie.
But then Alice Hoffman wrote the book.” Practical Magic 2 is out on 11 September. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
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