Ever since the trailer for Practical Magic 2 dropped in April, we’ve been humming Harry Nilsson’s “Coconut” and counting down the days until the movie comes out — and we don’t have much longer to wait.
The highly anticipated sequel lands in theaters on Sept. 11, nearly 30 years after the original 1998 romantic fantasy film, based on Alice Hoffman’s novel, was released. The film’s leads, Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, will reprise their roles as the witchy Owens sisters, but not everyone from the original cast is returning.
One notable absence is Evan Rachel Wood, who starred as Kylie, the daughter of Bullock’s character, in the first film. Her role is instead being filled by The Kissing Booth star Joey King, a change that has been met with mixed reactions among the film’s fans.
It wasn’t Wood’s decision to sit out the sequel. The actor previously said she wasn’t invited to reprise her role, despite offering to return. In July 2025, Wood shared an Instagram story that read: “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. l offered my services, 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 has now addressed the matter again, elaborating on the recasting while speaking to the press at The Shards premiere in Los Angeles on Monday. When asked why she felt it was important to speak out about not being asked to return, Wood said: “I read the book and it seems like they’re not following the book. I think in the book it would have made sense to bring me back but I think in the way that they’re redoing it and approaching it, it didn’t make sense.
“But it is sad because, you know, we bonded with the cast so much as children and so to miss out on that 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. And so I’m sad that doesn’t get to exist, especially for the fans. But I wish them all the best and obviously wish Joey the best and I hope she had a great time. I still have really fond memories of being in the original.”
Wood’s not the only original key cast member not returning, but some other big names are. Here’s the main cast for Practical Magic 2 in full.
Warning: the following contains spoilers from the original Practical Magic film.
Which of the original ‘Practical Magic’ stars are returning for the sequel?
Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens
Bullock has reprised her role as the older Owens sister. In the original film, we followed Sally’s journey as she navigated grief, motherhood and the desire to be free of magic while protecting her sister, Gillian, from a very toxic relationship. Ultimately, she found love with Detective Gary Hallet (Aiden Quinn) — but as Quinn isn’t returning for the sequel. It remains to be seen whether he fell victim to the Owens family curse, which kills men who fall in love with Owens women.
Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens
Kidman also returns as free-spirited Gillian. The trailer shows nostalgia-inducing glimpses of the character’s story — opening an umbrella and taking flight with her sister and nieces, giggling in bed with Sally and dancing under the moonlight in flowy dresses — plus hints at a new threat to the family.
Stockard Channing as Aunt Francis
Channing is back as the legendary, brash co-matriarch of the family, who is returning to no doubt mix up midnight margaritas and mayhem in the sequel.
Dianne Wiest as Aunt Jet
Wiest’s much more zen Aunt Jet is also returning and has been glimpsed hugging her great-nieces and reaching out to touch a dangerous-looking book in the trailer.
Which ‘Practical Magic’ roles are new or being recast for the sequel?
Joey King as Kylie Owens
King will take on Wood’s role as the oldest of Sally’s two daughters. The trailer makes it seem like much of the sequel will focus on Kylie and her younger sister Antonia as they get a handle on their own magic.
Maisie Williams as Antonia Owens
Much like Wood, the actor who played Antonia Owens in the original isn’t back for the second movie. According to IMDb, the film was Alexandra Artrip’s only role. Game of Thrones actor Maisie Williams will reprise the role in the sequel.
Lee Pace as Ian Wright
Pace appears to be the male lead in the sequel and is featured fairly prominently in the trailer. He’s seen interacting with both Sally and Gillian, so it’s possible he could be romantically linked to either of them.
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