Original ‘Practical Magic’ Star Addresses Fan Boycott of Sequel Over Recasting

Alexandra Artrip, the original star of "Practical Magic," urged fans to give the sequel a chance, despite being absent from the follow-up. In an Instagram video posted on Thursday, the former child actress, who played Sandra Bullock's onscreen daughter Antonia Owens in the 1998 fantasy, addressed the boycott calls from fans upset that she and co-star Evan Rachel Wood were replaced by Joey King and Maisie Williams, respectively.

"I see a lot of content going around about the sequel and I think the sentiment is right," she said in her video message. "You know, people are trying to show support for Evan and myself and the original film and everything that it's meant to so many people but I just don't want my stuff to be a space for negativity." Artrip praised King and Williams as "lovely actresses," noting that she believed production made the best decision for the film's success.

She encouraged fans to support the film and give it a chance, urging them to go in with an open mind. Artrip's statement came in response to a fan who commented on her Instagram post, saying, "These girls were perfect as is. I don't want to watch 'Practical Magic 2' now because of the change up on the original." While Artrip seemed content with the sequel's decision to recast, Wood expressed less enthusiasm, calling out her former collaborators for not reaching out about the cast shakeup.

Director Susanne Bier defended the recasting, stating that the story's characters were right out of college and it was necessary to recast. Bullock added that viewers who hadn't seen the first film wouldn't understand the nostalgia, but those who had would still see the familiar characters and new magical baby witches in "Practical Magic 2," set to release on Sept. 10.