Original ‘Practical Magic’ Star Alexandra Artrip Addresses ‘Negativity’ Over Recasting in Sequel: They ‘Did What They Thought Was Best to Be Successful’ — SkimNews
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- Alexandra Artrip posted on Instagram in response to criticism over being recast alongside Evan Rachel Wood in 'Practical Magic 2,' defending the filmmakers' choice and asking fans not to use her page as 'a space for negativity'
- Artrip said she is 'sure the production team did what they thought was best for the film to be successful' and that 'nothing can take away from what the original film was,' noting she is excited to revisit the world through a 2026 novel and new content
- Evan Rachel Wood, whose role as Kylie was given to Joey King, spoke out earlier in the week saying 'no one who worked on the original movie' reached out to her directly, though she described King — who did contact her — as a 'sweetheart'
- Director Susanne Bier told Variety at the premiere that the recasting was 'not personal,' explaining the characters in the sequel are 'right out of college,' which required casting younger actresses
- 'Practical Magic 2' opens in theaters on Sept. 10, with Maisie Williams taking over Artrip's role of Antonia Owens and Joey King replacing Wood as Kylie
- Wood and Artrip had originally played the daughters of Sandra Bullock's Sally Owens in the 1998 film, which also starred Nicole Kidman as the older sister Gillian
Why it matters: The split responses — Artrip's gracious defense versus Wood's disclosure that no original-film cast or crew reached out to her — highlight the awkward PR position for Warner Bros. as it sells a nostalgia-driven legacy sequel while justifying casting changes that may alienate the 1998 film's devoted fanbase. With leads Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman returning but the younger generation recast, the studio is effectively marketing 'Practical Magic 2' as a soft reboot rather than a direct continuation.
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