Practical Magic 2 confirms the returns of two original stars and adds four new cast members. Based on Alice Hoffman’s novel of the same name, the original 1998 movie starred Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman as two sisters who come from a long line of witches cursed to lose any man who falls in love with them.

With the movie becoming a seasonal favorite and gaining a strong fanbase, Practical Magic 2 was officially put into development in June 2024. Plot details remain under wraps, but both Bullock and Kidman will return as Sally and Gillian. It is currently scheduled for a September 2026 release.

Now, ᴅᴇᴀᴅline confirms that the two leads will once again be joined by Stockard Channing and Dianne Wiest, who played aunts Franny and Jet in the original film. Additionally, the sequel has cast Lee Pace, Maisie Williams, Xolo Maridueña, and Solly McLeod in new roles.

Additionally, it has been confirmed that Joey King will play Sally’s daughter. Other character details remain under wraps. Production has officially begun with Susanne Bier directing, with the team saying in a statement:

Twenty-five years ago, Sally, Gillian, Aunt Jet and Aunt Franny flew off the pages of Alice Hoffman’s beloved novel and into theaters around the world, and we are thrilled to bring the Owens family back to the big screen with Joey, Lee, Maisie, Solly and Xolo joining the next chapter in our story. The enduring affection for these characters has been our inspiration to deliver the next installment in the Owens’ story to new fans, and those who’ve been with us since the beginning.

What This Casting News Means For Practical Magic 2

The Aunts Are Back, And It’s Wonderful

As Sally and Gillian’s eccentric, margarita-mixing aunts, Channing and Wiest played key roles in the original Practical Magic, making their return for the sequel a huge relief. Though it isn’t yet clear what Sally and Gillian will be facing in the new movie, it’s likely they’ll need their aunts’ wisdom and support to get through it.

Interestingly, Aidan Quinn is not yet confirmed to return as Sally’s love interest Gary, which could spell out a dark fate for him. Though the ending of Practical Magic saw the breaking of the Owens curse, thus allowing Sally to be with Gary without fear of his death, it could be that they split up, or that he died through some other means.

King’s casting as Sally’s daughter suggests the sequel will continue the franchise’s themes of generational magic and sisterhood. It isn’t yet clear how the newcomers will factor into the plot, but Williams could play a new witch from outside the Owens family, which would introduce an interesting new dynamic.

Our Take On Practical Magic 2’s Casting News

The Sequel Can Be A Mix Of The New And Familiar

Pace, Williams, Maridueña, and McLeod are exciting new additions to the Practical Magic world. Through them, the sequel can introduce new forms of magic and witchcraft, thus expanding Sally and Gillian’s universe considerably.

The best legacy sequels offer something new while paying thoughtful tribute to what came before, and though the plot is a mystery, the cast list alone suggests Practical Magic 2 will do exactly that. It will reunite the four women who formed the heart of the original while hopefully creating vibrant new characters. If done well, it could become a fan favorite just like its predecessor.

Source: ᴅᴇᴀᴅline