Evan Rachel Wood is sharing her disappointment over not returning for “Practical Magic 2.” As excitement builds for the long-awaited sequel, the actress revealed she was never asked to reprise her role, adding she was “sad” to be left out despite her willingness to return. Wood played Kylie Owens in the original film, with Joey King taking over the role in the sequel.
Evan Rachel Wood was just 11 years old when she played Kylie Owens, the eldest daughter of Sandra Bullock’s Sally Owens, in the 1998 film “Practical Magic.” While Bullock and Nicole Kidman are returning as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in the upcoming sequel, Wood and her on-screen sister, Antonia (Alexandra Atrip), will not. Their roles have been recast, with Joey King taking over as Kylie and Maisie Williams portraying Antonia.
Wood is speaking out about the sequel and said she feels “sad” that she wasn’t asked to return. The actress looked back at her time on the original film, sharing that she forged real bonds with her co-stars. “I’m sad that doesn’t get to exist, especially for the fans,” Wood told Entertainment Tonight.
Despite her feelings, Wood extended her best wishes to everyone involved. “I wish them all the best and obviously wish Joey King the best. And I hope she had a great time and I still have really fond memories of being in the original,” she said.
The Actress Believes The Sequel Diverges From The Novel
“Practical Magic” was based on the 1995 novel of the same title written by Alice Hoffman. There are four books in the series, and the sequel is said to be based on the fourth novel, “The Book of Magic,” which concludes the Owens family saga.
In the same interview, Wood shared why she thinks she was not asked to return. The actress said she read the book and thinks the filmmakers aren’t strictly following the source material. “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,” she explained.
Evan Rachel Wood Offered To Appear In The Sequel
“Practical Magic 2” was officially announced in May 2025. Shortly after the news was reported, many wondered whether Wood was returning as Kylie.
The actress addressed it on Instagram Stories in July 2025, saying that she was not asked to come back, despite offering to be in the movie, “even if it was one scene or one line.”
“I was told they are re-casting. I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters,” Wood wrote, as reported by Entertainment Weekly.
The Actress Admitted To Having A Crush On Sandra Bullock
In 2022, Wood was a guest on “Watch What Happens Live,” and host Andy Cohen said there were many fan questions about “Practical Magic.” He asked whether Wood was still in touch with Bullock or Kidman.
Wood said that she hasn’t spoken to either of her co-stars but admitted she had a crush on her on-screen mother. “I had such a crush on Sandra Bullock when I was doing that movie. But I don’t think I realized it until later on in life. It’s like, ‘Oh you were in love with her’,” she told Cohen.
“Would you say you were in love with her?” Cohen asked, to which Wood replied that she was in love, as much as an 11-year-old girl could love her on-screen mother. “She was fantastic,” the actress gushed.
Joey King Felt The Weight Of The Role
Meanwhile, Joey King admitted that she felt the pressure of stepping into the role of Kylie and joining the “Practical Magic” cast. The actress is a fan of the original movie and felt there was a “massive responsibility” to do the role justice, a sentiment Maisie Williams also shares.
However, the actresses said both Bullock and Kidman put them at ease. “Sandra just texts us both straight away. I think it says, ‘Hello, it’s your mother here.’ And I think, wow,” Williams told PEOPLE, adding that Bullock is the “nicest woman in Hollywood.”
King, who has grown close to Kidman after working on a previous project, gushed about her and Bullock, saying, “They are the best duo ever.” Their bond stretches beyond the set, as she revealed she still gets voice notes from her on-screen mother. “She’s always hyping us up. She’s just the sweetest,” King shared.
“Practical Magic 2” is scheduled to be released in theaters in September.
