Evan Rachel Wood has publicly criticized the "Practical Magic 2" production for failing to contact her about the recasting of her character's daughter, even as she offered warm praise for Joey King, who stepped into the role.
Wood originally played Kylie Owens in 1998's "Practical Magic" alongside Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman. When the sequel entered production, Bullock and Kidman returned to their signature roles as adult sisters Sally and Gillian Owens, but the filmmakers opted to recast the next generation. Joey King took over the part of Kylie for "Practical Magic 2," which hit screens in October 2024.
The "Westworld" star expressed frustration about the radio silence from producers and the studio, noting that King demonstrated more courtesy than the production itself. Wood specifically called out the lack of outreach as a professional discourtesy, particularly given her embedded connection to the original film and its mythology. "I really appreciated Joey King reaching out to me, because no one who worked [on the film] did," Wood stated, underscoring her point with clarity.
Yet Wood's criticism stops at the production door. She reserved nothing but compliments for King, describing the actress as a "sweetheart." This distinction matters. Wood separated her frustration about institutional communication breakdowns from any perceived performance or personal issue with King. The comment positions King as blameless in a recasting conversation that exists in a Hollywood tradition of passing the torch across generations.
"Practical Magic 2" marked the franchise's first sequel in 26 years, arriving as a major event for the supernatural-romance fanbase that sustained the cult original throughout the decades. With Bullock and Kidman anchoring the project, the studio banked on legacy appeal to drive audiences into theaters. The recasting of their on-screen daughters felt like a natural story progression, even if it meant introducing fresh faces to the universe.
The sequel grossed over $86 million worldwide, making it a commercial win and validating the franchise revival strategy. But Wood's comments suggest that the human side of Hollywood casting sometimes gets overlooked in pursuit of box office targets. Recasts happen constantly in sequels separated by years or decades, yet the etiquette around notifying original cast members remains uneven across the industry.
Wood's public statement carries weight as a respected actress with strong voice in industry conversations around respect and professional standards. Her willingness to call out gaps in communication while defending King personally models a nuanced take on institutional problems versus individual talent. King herself has become a rising star across multiple platforms, from "The Kissing Booth" Netflix trilogy to her role in "Slumberland" and broader film work, making her a logical choice for generational succession.
The dynamic also reflects broader questions about franchise continuity and creative choice. Returning leads like Bullock and Kidman validate investment in the existing world while new faces bring fresh energy. But the gap between artistic decisions and basic professional courtesy remains a soft spot in even high-budget productions.