Practical Magic 2: The Real Reason Nicole Kidman’s Co-Star Isn’t Coming Back

Yes, it’s happening: Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock are back for a Practical Magic sequel. The aunts are back too. New faces are piling in. And one very notable alum says she was recast. So, a little magic and a little mess. Let’s unpack it.

The Evan Rachel Wood situation

Evan Rachel Wood, who played Kylie Owens (Sally’s eldest daughter) in the 1998 film, told fans she won’t be in Practical Magic 2. After getting flooded with messages when the sequel was announced, she posted on Instagram Stories (as picked up by THR) that she reached out to the production and even offered to pop in for a line or a single scene. The answer she got: the role’s being recast.

"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 recasting. I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters."

No reason for the recast has been given, and the filmmakers haven’t commented. If you’re wondering who’s playing Kylie now: that’s the question. Joey King has been cast as one of Sally’s daughters and was reportedly sought out for the role, but the production hasn’t confirmed whether she’s Kylie specifically. Recasting a legacy character while the rest of the core is returning is… a choice.

Who’s in Practical Magic 2

The sequel brings back the Owens sisters and their iconic aunts, then layers in a wave of new blood. Here’s the lineup so far:

• Sandra Bullock as Sally Owens — credits include Speed, The Proposal, The Blind Side
• Nicole Kidman as Gillian Owens — credits include Eyes Wide Shut, Babygirl, Moulin Rouge!
• Stockard Channing as Frances 'Franny' Owens — credits include Grease, The West Wing, Six Degrees of Separation
• Dianne Wiest as Bridget 'Jet' Owens — credits include Hannah and Her Sisters, In Treatment, Parenthood
• Joey King as Sally’s daughter (role not yet specified; possibly Kylie) — credits include The Act, We Were the Lucky Ones, A Family Affair
• Xolo Maridueña in an undisclosed role — credits include Cobra Kai, Blue Beetle
• Maisie Williams in an undisclosed role — credits include The New Mutants, Game of Thrones
• Lee Pace in an undisclosed role — credits include Foundation, Bodies Bodies Bodies, The Hobbit
• Solly McLeod in an undisclosed role — credits include The Dead Don’t Hurt, Tom Jones

Behind the camera

Susanne Bier is directing this one, taking over from original director Griffin Dunne. Bier’s worked with both leads before: she directed Bullock in 2018’s Bird Box and Kidman in 2024’s The Perfect Couple. The script comes from Akiva Goldsman and Georgia Pritchett (Succession). Goldsman also co-wrote the 1998 film, so there’s continuity baked in.

Production status

Kidman shared a clip on Instagram announcing day one of filming in July 2025, hugging Bullock with the caption: "The witches are back. Owens sisters’ first day on set!" By September, she posted another short video of the pair walking into the sunset and confirmed the movie had wrapped: "That’s a wrap on Practical Magic 2. Thank you to the cast & crew for all your magic."

What’s the story this time?

The sequel adapts Alice Hoffman’s fourth book in the series, The Book of Magic. The only plot hint we have comes from the book: three generations of Owens women rally after a deathbed revelation and use their gifts to finally break the family curse. Expect the movie to keep that spine, but specifics are still under wraps.

Producer Denise Di Novi told People they aren’t trying to reinvent what worked the first time:

"There’s a joyousness to that movie, and there’s such beautiful themes of sisterhood and family and acceptance, tolerance, love... We really want to honor all of that."

A quick refresher on the original

When Practical Magic hit in 1998, critics were cold and the box office wasn’t great: it made $68.3 million on a $75 million budget. Over time, it turned into a cult favorite, which is how we ended up here with a sequel, decades later, with the original leads.

Release date and where to watch

Practical Magic 2 is set to open on September 18, 2026. The original Practical Magic is streaming now on HBO Max.