“It was not in my control or my choice”- Evan Rachel Wood reveals why she won’t be returning for ‘Practical Magic 2’

Evan Rachel Wood has made one thing crystal clear: the reprisal she’s long been teased about? It isn’t happening, and no, it wasn’t her choice. With Practical Magic 2 brewing and buzz building around Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest reuniting, fans have been clamoring for Kylie Owens’ return. The question of returning has hovered over Wood like a spellbound fog: why won’t she be back for the movie, and who made that call?

In a candid Instagram rundown, the 37-year-old actress revealed she reached out, offering herself for even “one scene or one line,” only to be told the role was being recast. She didn’t get a call and didn’t receive a script. Simply put, it was not in her control or her choice. So no, Kylie won’t be flying back into the Owens’ magical household, and we finally have the scoop straight from Wood herself.

Evan Rachel Wood reveals why she won’t be returning for ‘Practical Magic 2’

Evan Rachel Wood’s return to the Practical Magic universe depends less on fate and more on Hollywood logistics. In her Instagram Stories on June 11, she squared things away with fans:

“I was not asked to come back and be in the #PracticalMagic sequel. I offered my services, even if it was one scene or one line,” she wrote.

That last part stings. Wood didn’t wait for an invite; she volunteered, hoping for a cameo or more. But the production had other ideas:

“I was told they are re‑casting. I am sorry to disappoint the fans. It was not in my control or my choice. I would have happily rejoined my sisters,” she added.

So what’s going on here? It appears the sequel’s casting team opted for fresh blood in Kylie’s role; maybe to align with the film’s timeline or creative vision. Wood now in her late 30s was originally 10 in the 1998 classic. Producers and directors and likely studio execs, might want the new generation to match the age and dynamic of Joey King’s casting as Sally’s daughter.

Despite disappointment, Wood’s tone stayed warm; she didn’t name-drop or point fingers toward producers. Instead, she stressed it was a structural decision: not personal, not ideological, just out of her hands. In her words,

“It was not in my control or my choice.”

That honesty earned her grace points from fans who responded with understanding and appreciation for her transparency.

Context matters: Practical Magic 2 marks 28 years since that original witchy tale hit screens. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman are back, alongside a magical mix of original aunts and new faces. But Kylie Owens’ spot is now vacant. Wood’s openness helps clarify the shift and shows us that sometimes in Hollywood, wanting something and getting it don’t go hand in hand, even when it’s “just one line.”

What’s next for Wood, and what’s brewing in the sequel

While Kylie’s magic won’t reappear, Practical Magic 2 is shaping up with a potent blend of nostalgia and new energy. Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return as the iconic Owens sisters with aunts Frances (Stockard Channing) and Jet (Dianne Wiest) also back at the coven helm. On the younger side, Joey King joins as Sally’s daughter, with Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña and Solly McLeod rounding out the cast. Director Susanne Bier is steering the ship toward a September 18, 2026 release.

Meanwhile, Wood continues to juggle a vibrant career. From HBO’s True Blood to her music duo Evan + Zane and roles in indie flicks, she’s been steadily branching out. She’s a force on screen, stage and in the studio, so missing Practical Magic 2 isn't a step back. For Wood it’s just another chapter, not a finale.