Joey King and Maisie Williams, the newest additions to the Owens family, have opened up about the pressure they feel stepping into the world of Practical Magic 2. In a recent interview, King confessed that as passionate fans of the original 1998 film, both she and Williams are acutely aware of the legacy they are now part of.
“As fans of the original film myself, ourselves, I feel like when you love something as much as we already love Practical Magic, there’s just massive responsibility of joining the team and wanting to do it justice,” King told People.
The sequel, directed by Susanne Bier, brings back Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as the Owens sisters, Sally and Gillian. King and Williams step into the roles of Sally’s daughters, Kylie and Antonia. In the original movie, those parts were played by a young Evan Rachel Wood and Alexandra Artrip. The casting change has been a major talking point among fans, many of whom have followed the actresses’ careers since the late ’90s.
A Sequel Years in the Making
Rumors of a Practical Magic sequel have circulated for years. The original film, based on Alice Hoffman’s 1995 novel, earned a loyal following even though it received mixed reviews at the time of its release. Over the decades, it became a staple of cable television and streaming playlists, especially around Halloween. The film’s blend of romance, sisterhood, witchcraft, and quirky family dynamics resonated with audiences in ways that box-office numbers initially did not reflect.
When Warner Bros. finally announced that a sequel was moving forward, excitement was immediate. The studio assembled a formidable creative team, with a script by Akiva Goldsman, Georgia Pritchett, and Kelly Marcel. Goldsman is no stranger to big franchise filmmaking, having written A Beautiful Mind and several Batman and Transformers films. Pritchett is known for her work on HBO’s Succession, and Marcel co-wrote Saving Mr. Banks and Fifty Shades of Grey. The combination of these voices suggested that the sequel would honor the original’s tone while bringing a modern sensibility.
The Young Stars’ Connection to the Original
For King and Williams, the project is deeply personal. King has been vocal about her love for the 1998 film, recalling how it shaped her understanding of what a female-led story could be. Williams, known for her breakout role as Arya Stark in Game of Thrones, likewise grew up with the movie. Both actresses have built careers on choosing projects with strong emotional cores and complex female characters.
In their new roles, they are tasked with expanding the Owens family mythology. The two characters were children in the original, but in the sequel they are old enough to be fully involved in the family’s magical inheritance. That inheritance comes with a heavy curse, a central element of the story. The plot of Practical Magic 2 follows Sally and Gillian as they return to a world of moonlit mischief and ancestral power. The Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that has haunted their family for generations, this time with the help of the next generation.
King and Williams have both spoken about the chemistry they developed on set. They spent weeks rehearsing together and working with Bier to build a believable sibling dynamic. Their characters, Kylie and Antonia, are described as drastically different in temperament. One is pragmatic, the other more impulsive. That contrast, the actresses say, mirrors the dynamic between Sally and Gillian in the original. It also gives both performers room to explore the weight of family expectations.
Evan Rachel Wood’s Emotional Response
One of the most emotional moments in the lead-up to the sequel came from Evan Rachel Wood. Wood, who played the young Sally’s daughter in the original, admitted to Entertainment Tonight that she is sad not to be reprising her role. “It is sad, because we bonded with that cast so much as children, and 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, it’s something that can’t be faked,” Wood said. “I’m sad that doesn’t get to exist, especially for the fans.”
Wood’s comments underline how meaningful the production was for the child actors. She, along with Alexandra Artrip, spent time on set with Bullock and Kidman during the original filming. That experience clearly left a lasting impression. Her remarks have prompted an outpouring of sympathy from fans who would have loved to see her return. However, King and Williams have emphasized that they are approaching the roles with respect for what came before, and they hope to make the characters their own while honoring the original performers.
The Enduring Appeal of the Owens Women
The Practical Magic franchise stands apart from many other supernatural stories because of its emphasis on family bonds rather than romantic love alone. The central relationship is between Sally and Gillian, two sisters who support each other through tragedy, bad relationships, and the perils of magic. The story’s exploration of female solidarity and generational trauma struck a chord in the late ’90s and has only become more resonant in the years since.
Alice Hoffman’s novel provided the foundation, but the film adaptation made changes that fans have debated for decades. The sequel, however, appears to be drawing from the same well. The new film’s logline mentions a curse that threatens to unravel the family, suggesting that the filmmakers are interested in continuing the themes of the first movie rather than simply retreading familiar beats.
The sequel also benefits from the involvement of Bier, the Oscar-winning director of In a Better World. Bier is known for her ability to draw nuanced performances from actors while maintaining a strong visual style. Her work on The Undoing showed that she can handle suspense and glamour with equal skill. That makes her a fitting choice for a story that mixes domestic drama with supernatural danger.
What to Expect from the September Release
Practical Magic 2 is set to premiere on September 11. The early buzz has been overwhelmingly positive, with advance screenings generating enthusiastic reactions. Fans are particularly eager to see how Bullock and Kidman have slipped back into their iconic roles. The two actresses have remained close friends since filming the original, and their real-life bond is expected to translate into authentic onscreen chemistry.
Joey King’s career has been on an upward trajectory for over a decade. She earned critical acclaim for her role in The Act and has starred in major Netflix productions like The Kissing Booth trilogy. Maisie Williams, meanwhile, transitioned from television stardom in Game of Thrones to a diverse slate of projects, including the drama The New Mutants and Apple TV+’s Pistol. Both actresses are at a point in their careers where they are actively seeking roles with weight, and the Owens family is a perfect fit.
The supporting cast for the sequel has not been fully disclosed, but the studio has confirmed that several actors are in undisclosed roles. There has been speculation about the return of Dianne Wiest, who played Aunt Frances in the original, and Stockard Channing, who played Aunt Jet. Their return would add another layer of continuity to the story. However, neither the studio nor the actresses have confirmed these appearances, leaving fans to wait until the premiere.
In the meantime, King and Williams have been doing the press circuit, sharing stories from the set and expressing their gratitude for the chance to be part of a beloved franchise. They have also acknowledged the pressure that comes with casting changes. Many fans have a deep attachment to the original actors, and any recasting can be controversial. But King and Williams appear confident that their performances will win over skeptics.
The legacy of Practical Magic is built on a mix of charm, humor, and heart. The sequel promises to deliver all of those elements while updating the story for a new generation. With Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman leading the way, a talented young duo in King and Williams, and a thoughtful director like Susanne Bier at the helm, the film is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated releases of the year.
At its core, Practical Magic 2 is about family, the choices we make, and the love that binds us together. The Owens sisters have always been defined by their loyalty to one another, and that timeless theme is what continues to attract fans. When the film hits theaters on September 11, audiences will finally see how the story continues. For King and Williams, the journey is just beginning. They are ready to honor the past while forging a future for the Owens women.
Source:Deadline News