Evan Rachel Wood Says She's Not Returning for 'Practical Magic 2' Because It's “Not Following the Book”

Evan Rachel Wood confirmed she will not appear in the upcoming Practical Magic 2. The actress, who played the eldest daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character in the 1998 original, stated she was not invited back for the sequel.

During a recent interview, Wood noted that the new project deviates from the source material. The film is based on author Alice Hoffman’s second novel, The Book of Magic. Wood explained that while her character's return would have fit the narrative of the book, the production team chose a different direction for the film adaptation.

She expressed disappointment about the exclusion, specifically citing her connection to the original cast. Wood mentioned she would have happily accepted a role even for a single line or scene to preserve the history of the characters. Joey King has been cast to play the role originally held by Wood, and other original cast members like Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing are set to return.

Fans have followed reports on the casting changes as the film prepares for its September 11 release. Despite the recasting, the sequel remains a project of interest for many who remember the tone of the first movie.