Wood played Kylie Owens, one of Sally Owens’ daughters, in the 1998 film. For Practical Magic 2, which is set 25 years after the original, the role was recast with Joey King. Alexandra Artrip, who played Antonia Owens, was also replaced by Maisie Williams.
Director Susanne Bier said the roles had to be recast because the daughters are now college-age in the story.
“It was not a personal thing,” Bier told Variety. “The kids in the story are right out of college, so it wasn’t really a question. We had to recast.”
Wood said she appreciated King reaching out to her but noted that no one from the original production had done so.
“I really appreciated Joey King reaching out to me because no one who worked on the original film did. She’s a sweetheart,” Wood wrote on Instagram Stories on Sept. 1.
King said she had a “lovely” conversation with Wood and expressed gratitude for Wood’s support. She also praised Wood’s performance in the original film and said she felt grateful to take on the role of Kylie.
Wood previously revealed last year that she had not been invited back for the sequel. She said she had offered to return even for a single scene or line but was told the role would be recast.
Wood later said she was disappointed because she and Artrip had formed a strong bond with the cast as children. She said seeing the original cast and the Owens family home again as adults could have created a meaningful moment for longtime fans.
Despite her disappointment, Wood said she wished the new cast well.
Practical Magic 2 stars Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, along with returning cast members Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest. The sequel is partly inspired by Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic.
The film is scheduled to be released Sept. 11.
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