Evan Rachel Wood, who portrayed the charming Kylie Owens in the original Practical Magic, has revealed she won’t be appearing in the upcoming sequel. Her confirmation came via Instagram Stories, where she addressed growing fan speculation about her involvement.
“I am getting asked about this a lot,” she wrote. “I’ll just clear it up now—I was not asked to come back.” Wood went on to explain that despite offering to participate in even the smallest role, she was informed that the role of Kylie is being recast.
Her statement quickly ignited social media discussions, with many longtime fans expressing disappointment. Wood was just 11 when she appeared in the 1998 film, yet her performance as Sally Owens’ daughter remains a fond memory for many.
The sequel, Practical Magic 2, is scheduled for release on September 18, 2026, and brings back original stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. They’ll be joined by returning co-stars Dianne Wiest and Stockard Channing, and a fresh ensemble including Joey King, Maisie Williams, and Lee Pace. The film is directed by Susanne Bier and written by Akiva Goldsman and Georgia Pritchett.
Though the producers claim to stay faithful to the original, the decision to recast Kylie—reportedly to align with a new generational arc inspired by Alice Hoffman’s Rules of Magic—has raised questions about creative direction.
Wood’s graceful message left no bitterness, only a sense of loss: “I would have happily rejoined my sisters.” Her sincerity added emotional weight to what many now view as a missed opportunity for the franchise.
