**Joey King Expresses Gratitude for Evan Rachel Wood’s Support in ‘Practical Magic 2’ Casting**
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In an excited revelation, Joey King shared her heartfelt appreciation for fellow actress Evan Rachel Wood following her casting in the much-anticipated sequel, *Practical Magic 2*. During an appearance on the *Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard* podcast, King discussed her experience in taking on the role that Wood originally portrayed in the beloved 1998 film, *Practical Magic*.
King, 27, elaborated on her joy at receiving kind words from Wood, who played the character Kylie in the original movie alongside Alexandra Artrip. King, along with Maisie Williams, has stepped into the roles of the younger versions of Wood and Artrip’s characters in the sequel. “Luckily, she was so sweet. She wished me well,” King shared. She revealed that after hearing Wood’s supportive words during an earlier interview, she felt inspired to reach out directly to express her gratitude.
The actress further explained the noise surrounding casting choices and how overwhelming public reactions can be. “It was just really nice because it’s just so noisy when people make their mind up about how to behave when they feel something about someone or a casting choice,” King stated. She added that it was meaningful for her to connect with Wood amidst the public discourse on social media.
Wood, now 39, also expressed her appreciation for King’s outreach ahead of the film’s release, stating that she had not commonly received such gestures from cast members in similar situations. Through her Instagram Stories, she referred to King as a “sweetheart,” acknowledging the kindness of King reaching out. Wood had aired her disappointment previously, noting in July that she had offered her services for *Practical Magic 2*, yet was not invited back to reprise her role.
In a discussion with Entertainment Tonight at the premiere for her latest series, *The Shards*, Wood described the recasting choice as a bittersweet moment. “It felt sad because, you know, we bonded with that cast so much as children, and to miss out on the opportunity to look at that cast and look at that house as an adult is something that can’t be faked,” she commented. Despite her sadness, Wood extended her heartfelt wishes to the new cast, highlighting her fond memories from the original film.
On her part, King had been glowing about Wood during the podcast, acknowledging the significant impact Wood’s portrayal had on the character of Kylie. “[Evan] made this role so special when she was a young girl, and I feel so grateful to be able to play Kylie at this age,” King said. Her appreciation for Wood’s talent and beautiful spirit resonated throughout the conversation, making it clear that she holds the original cast in high regard.
The mutual respect and camaraderie evident between King and Wood speaks volumes about the dynamics involved in transitioning beloved roles to a new generation. Both actresses seem to share an understanding of the unique challenges and rewards that accompany such a legacy.
*Practical Magic 2* is presently gracing cinemas, marking a new chapter for a story that has touched the hearts of many since its original release. Fans of the first film are eager to see how the new adaptations resonate with the spirit of the original cast, and King, along with Williams, hopes to honour the legacy set before them.
In a world filled with noise and quick judgement, the kindness shared between King and Wood is a refreshing reminder of the importance of support and encouragement, particularly in the competitive landscape of the entertainment industry. The connections fostered through film not only celebrate nostalgia but also promote unity among artists, paving the way for exciting new stories to be told.