LOS ANGELES (AP) – Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman share a different perspective on "Practical Magic" now, 28 years after its initial release. The 1998 film was met with mixed reviews and had only a modest box office performance, yet it has since transformed into a cult classic, especially popularized among a new generation via social media clips.
Both actresses are reprising their roles as witchy sisters Sally and Gillian Owens in "Practical Magic 2," which is set to hit theaters on September 10. This sequel provides an opportunity for Bullock and Kidman to reflect on the original film's rocky reception and its surprising resurgence in popularity over the years. The two films are based on Alice Hoffman’s novels; the first, "Practical Magic," published in 1995, inspired the original film, while her 2021 novel, "The Book of Magic," expands upon the Owens family narrative and serves as a basis for the sequel.
Bullock recalls enduring a challenging promotional journey for the original film, describing it as "brutal." She mentioned how they were perceived as "too witchy," "too many women," and having "too many tones," which left her feeling a sense of trauma. Reflecting on those harsh reviews, Bullock stated, "Maybe it needed to marinate a little bit." She noted the surprising turn of events where the movie eventually found its audience, culminating in a realization she had about six years ago regarding its reappraisal.
“I was still harboring so much shame,” Bullock shared. “I was like, ‘Oh my god, the things that were said, I’m sorry, we thought we were doing something nice.’ And turns out we did. It was just 28 and change years too early.” Bullock believes that part of the film’s second life reflects a significant shift in societal attitudes toward the term "witch," which has historically carried a negative connotation.
For Kidman, the film's resurgence became a personal experience as well. She expressed surprise at how many people approached her, stating “You want to know what my favorite film of yours is? ‘Practical Magic.’” When the time came to film the sequel, Bullock engaged her children and their friends to watch the original together in order to gain fresh perspectives before stepping into a new chapter of the Owens family saga.
As producers for the sequel, both actresses faced challenging realities of producing a legacy film within a budget. One major task was the reconstruction of the iconic Owens house. The production built a full structure on a London back lot, a significant change from the temporary exterior shell used in the original film. Bullock noted the fiscal constraints they were under, emphasizing, "We’re not a big superhero film, so you don’t get the luxury of a big price tag." Kidman added that managing the budget was vital, as exceeding it could introduce additional stress that neither of them wanted in their lives.
"Practical Magic 2" continues the story of the younger generation of Owens women, with Joey King and Maisie Williams portraying Kylie and Antonia Owens, the daughters of Sally. King remarked on the significance of passing the baton to a new generation, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to step into the world created by Bullock and Kidman. Producer Denise Di Novi, who also produced the original film, shared enthusiasm about potential future projects with the younger characters, hinting at a desire to explore more of their story.
Williams echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement about the untapped possibilities of the story. She remarked, “There’s so much more of 'Book of Magic' that we didn’t get to explore.” Overall, the brewing excitement surrounding "Practical Magic 2" demonstrates not only the evolution of the original film's legacy but also its potential to continue enchanting audiences for years to come.
