Xolo Maridueña may be stepping into a world filled with spells and superstition in “Practical Magic 2,” but one of the most nerve-racking moments of the experience happened before any magic was required.
Speaking with HOLA, the actor opened up about joining the highly anticipated sequel and recalled his first day working alongside Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, who return as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens.
© VALERIE MACON“First day with Sandy and Nicole was super great,” Xolo told HOLA, admitting that there were some nerves behind the scenes. Luckily, the scene they were filming worked in his favor.
“I’m glad that the scene was also a little awkward, so I was able to hide behind the facade of character while my hands were clammy,” he joked.
© Eamonn M. McCormackAny nerves quickly began to disappear thanks to his famous co-stars. Xolo described Sandra and Nicole as “so generous” and revealed how their welcome helped set the tone for the rest of his time on set.
“They’re definitely the leads of this movie, but they welcomed me with open arms, and that really helped ease tensions for the rest of the shoot,” he said.
Stepping into the magic:
For Xolo, joining the “Practical Magic” universe also meant becoming part of a story with a passionate following dating back to the original 1998 movie.
© Kate GreenThe actor spoke about the special dynamic he witnessed on set and described the experience of joining a new generation of the story as having “the baton passed down.”
“They’re like two peas in a pod, and I was really happy to be the third wheel,” he said of his costars, adding that stepping into the franchise was “really a privilege.”
© Jeff SpicerHe also praised Joey King and Maisie Williams, who are among the new faces joining the sequel. “Joey and Maisie, they take their work so seriously, and it was an honor to get to star alongside them.”
While Xolo remained careful not to reveal too much about his character, he did offer a glimpse at what drew him to the role.
© Chloe Kern“I was really happy to actually explore, I guess, a character that has a lot of love and is willing to share his emotions in this way,” he explained. “I think it’s something that I don’t always see too often on TV or in movies.”
The role also appears to hit close to home. “I myself have a lot of love to give,” he added.
Is Xolo superstitious?
Considering the movie’s magical subject matter, we had to find out whether Xolo has any superstitions of his own.
The actor revealed that he avoids talking about projects before they are completely confirmed. “I really have a hard time talking about stuff before it’s set in stone,” he said. “I don’t want to let anyone know that something’s happening before, like, it’s actually happening.”
© John PhillipsAnd there is another superstition making its way into his life thanks to his girlfriend. “My girlfriend also hates when we split the pole,” he revealed, referring to the superstition about two people walking on opposite sides of a pole or post. While he admitted he doesn’t quite understand it, he has started playing along. “I’ve been testing this one out. We’ll see what my luck’s like.”
Xolo also believes in something bigger. Asked whether some people are simply meant to find each other, he said, “I think everything happens for a reason,” adding that he “totally” believes in the power of the universe.
For him, however, the greatest magic has nothing to do with spells. “I think the most magical thing that’s happened to me is being blessed with the family that I got,” he told HOLA!. “So much of my journey has happened because of the folks that I got back at home.”
Behind his bold press tour fashion:
That magical world has even made its way into Xolo’s wardrobe. The actor explained that the colorful and statement-making looks he has worn while promoting the movie were intentionally connected to the visual universe of “Practical Magic.”
© Anadolu“There’s so much rich, beautiful colors and lore that the first movie and the second movie have to offer, and I wanted that to be reflected in the clothes,” he explained.
And he couldn’t resist poking fun at what might have happened without professional help, thanking his stylist for making his press tour transformation possible. Otherwise, he joked, he would have been relying on his own closet and “chopped on the red carpet.”
