Disappointed Evan Rachel Wood says Practical Magic 2 recast was ‘not in her control’

Evan Rachel Wood was in the first Practical Magic (Image: Getty Images | Warner Bros)

Evan Rachel Wood has said she only found out she had been recast in Practical Magic 2 after Joey King reached out to her, rather than hearing it from anyone involved with the original film team.

In a post on her Instagram Stories, as reported by Entertainment Weekly, Wood wrote: “I really appreciated Joey King reaching out to me, because no one who worked on the original film did”, adding that King was “a sweetheart”.

Wood, who played one of Sally Owens’ daughters in the 1998 film, also told followers she had offered to return for the sequel but was told the production was recasting.

“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 Practical Magic sequel. I offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line. I was told they are re-casting,” she wrote.

“I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters,” Wood added.

What we know about the sequel

Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as witches Sally and Gilly Owens, alongside Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. Joey King and Maisie Williams have joined the cast to play Sally’s daughters.

Practical Magic 2 is directed by Susanne Bier and is based on the 2021novel The Book of Magic, by Alice Hoffman. It tells the story of the Owens family who are forced to confront the return of a killer curse. The film is out on 11 September.

Wood’s reaction and the nostalgia factor

Wood told Entertainment Tonight in July that she “hadn’t had the chance to connect” with King about the character King would be now playing.

At the premiere of new series of Disney+ series The Shards, in which she plays Liz Schaffer, Wood said 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.”

The original Practical Magic became a cult favourite over time, and the sequel has been closely watched since with excitement building when it was confirmed Bullock and Kidman would be returning.

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