Evan Rachel Wood has opened up about her disappointment about not being invited to return for the upcoming sequel to Practical Magic.
Wood, 38, was just 11 when she appeared in the beloved 1998 movie as the youngest daughter of Sandra Bullock’s character Sally Owens.
A sequel is set to be released this September, with 26-year-old Joey King taking over Wood’s role.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Wood said she “hadn’t had the chance to connect” with King about playing the character.
The new film is based on Alice Hoffman’s 2021 novel The Book of Magic, the follow-up to her own 1995 novel which inspired the original film.
Wood added: “You know, I read the book and it seems like they’re not following the book… I think in the book it would have made sense to bring me back. I think in the way that they’re redoing it, and approaching it, it didn’t make sense.”
The Westworld star continued: “It is sad because when you’re acting, truth is found money. We bonded with that cast so much as children, so to miss out on the opportunity to look at that cast, and look at that house, as an adult and see the history in our eyes is something that can’t be faked.
“I’m sad that that doesn’t get to exist, especially for the fans, but I wish them all the best and obviously wish Joey the best. I hope she had a great time, and I still have really fond movies of being in the original.”
Wood was speaking at the premiere of The Shards, the new FX series created by Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis, based on Ellis’ semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.
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The first Practical Magic film starred Bullock and Nicole Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian, who are descended from a long line of witches. Raised by their aunts after the death of their parents, they are taught the practical uses of magic.
Alexandra Artrip starred alongside Wood as Sally’s eldest daughter, Antonia. Artrip has also been notably left out of the Practical Magic 2 cast.
While the original film initially received mixed reviews, it’s since become a beloved cult classic and is particularly well-remembered for its soundtrack, which includes both a score by Alan Silvestri and Stevie Nicks’ original song “If You Ever Did Believe” as well as a re-recording of her song “Crystal.”
The forthcoming sequel will welcome back Bullock and Kidman, as well as Stockard Channing and Dianne West as their aunts Franny and Jet.