Susanne Bier Explains Why Evan Rachel Wood Was Recast in ‘Practical Magic 2’

Nearly three decades after ‘Practical Magic’ first enchanted audiences, the journey back to the Owens family has proven just as intricate behind the scenes as the witchy curse at the heart of the story. The much-anticipated reunion of Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman has sparked considerable excitement, but not every original cast member has returned.

This absence became a focal point last year when Evan Rachel Wood revealed she hadn’t been invited to reprise her role as Kylie Owens, the eldest daughter of Bullock’s character in the original 1998 film. Wood expressed her willingness to return, even for a single line, but was informed that her character was being recast entirely, prompting fans to question why the sequel would part ways with such a cherished member of its original cast.

Now, director Susanne Bier is addressing that decision directly. At the film’s recent premiere, Bier clarified that the choice to recast Kylie was not personal, but rather a natural outcome of the story’s progression. “The kids in the story are right out of college, so it wasn’t really a question,” Bier told Variety, explaining that the sequel’s timeline simply didn’t align with continuing Wood’s version of the character.

This explanation aligns with the new film’s structure. Joey King has taken on the role previously held by Wood, effectively de-aging the character by over a decade to fit the updated timeline, which follows a younger generation of the Owens family as they navigate adulthood.

Bier’s comments shed light on a decision that had largely gone unexplained since Wood first voiced her disappointment. At that time, Wood emphasized that the decision was not hers to make, stating on social media that she would have “happily rejoined” her former castmates if given the chance, acknowledging that the situation was simply beyond her control.

‘Practical Magic 2’ sees Bullock and Kidman return as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, with Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest reprising their roles as the family’s quirky aunts. The new cast, which expands the story’s next generation, includes King, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod, with Williams portraying Bullock’s on-screen daughter, Antonia.

Akiva Goldsman, who co-wrote the original film, returned to write the sequel’s screenplay alongside Georgia Pritchett, while Bier takes over directing from Griffin Dunne. The sequel reportedly draws inspiration from a later installment in Alice Hoffman’s expanded book series rather than serving as a direct continuation of the first film’s plot.

For a franchise that built its reputation on the strong bond between its central characters, the recasting decision understandably struck a chord with longtime fans who hoped to see the entire original family return. Bier’s explanation provides a straightforward rationale behind the choice, even if it doesn’t fully alleviate the disappointment expressed by some fans and Wood herself.

With ‘Practical Magic 2’ set to premiere in theaters on September 18, 2026, audiences will soon discover how this new generation of Owens women fits into the story that first captivated moviegoers nearly thirty years ago.

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