Original 'Practical Magic' Daughter Speaks Out Over Sequel Boycott Threats

Diehard fans of the 1998 cult classic *Practical Magic* are up in arms over news that the long-awaited sequel is replacing key original cast members. After reports confirmed that Joey King and Maisie Williams are stepping in to play the adult Owens daughters, protective moviegoers flooded social media with calls to boycott the project. Now, one of the original stars is stepping forward to calm the brewing storm. Alexandra Artrip, who portrayed Sandra Bullock’s eldest onscreen daughter Antonia Owens in the original fantasy hit, released a video on Instagram to speak directly to the passionate fanbase. Although she recognized the intense nostalgia surrounding the 1990s favorite, she made it clear that she wants fans to ditch the online outrage and embrace the new chapter.

The online uproar began when casting announcements revealed that neither Artrip nor Evan Rachel Wood—who played younger sister Kylie in the original film—were invited back to reprise their childhood roles. Studio executives chose to hand those characters over to King and Williams instead, sparking widespread disappointment among loyalists who wanted to see the original performers reunite on screen alongside Bullock and Nicole Kidman. Artrip, who retired from acting shortly after her appearance in the 1998 movie, admitted that she understands why the fanbase feels so protective of the original ensemble. She acknowledged the outpouring of love for both herself and Wood, but firmly stated that she does not want her social media channels to become a breeding ground for toxic complaints against the new project.

Rather than holding a grudge over the recasting, Artrip showered praise on the incoming actresses. She described both King and Williams as exceptionally talented performers, adding that she trusts the production team made the best choices to ensure the sequel thrives in theaters. She noted that a new entry into the franchise can never strip away the magic of the original story. Wrapping up her video, the former child star asked fans to enter the theater with an open mind rather than a boycott mindset. Artrip shared that she remains genuinely excited to see how filmmakers build upon the magical universe decades later, reminding the audience that true appreciation for the story means keeping the energy positive.