Sandra Bullock is making her triumphant return to the big screen and it’s just the vibe we expected, as she’s currently working on the sequel to the beloved 1998 film Practical Magic with Nicole Kidman.
Celebrating her 61st birthday on Saturday, July 26, the actress is also involved in an exciting romantic thriller alongside Keanu Reeves, stirring up plenty of buzz for Speed enthusiasts.
This return, however, marks a transition following a challenging period. Sandra opened up about her decision to take a breather from acting as she faced profound personal loss.
Let’s talk about Sandra’s short-lived retirement from her acting career…
Turning New Pages
In 2022, Sandra dazzled box office audiences with the double-feature hit of The Lost City alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Channing Tatum, followed by her memorable scene in Bullet Train, featuring Brad Pitt.
Her direct involvement in The Lost City, which triumphed to nearly $200 million globally, marked a notable comeback—her run was so successful that it stamped her name as one of the top earners of that year and showcased her remarkable ability to generate hits across four decades.
Taking a Breather
While she was on the promotional circuit for The Lost City, Oscar-winner Sandra announced she’d be stepping away from filming to dedicate more time to her family.
Sandra’s journey as a mother includes her son Louis Bullock, 15, and daughter Laila Bullock, 13, both adopted while she was in her 40s. Together, they created cherished memories with her then-boyfriend Bryan Randall, a photographer with whom she was in a long-term relationship since 2015. Throughout, she’s keenly kept her children out of the public eye, maintaining that distance.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, she expressed, “I don’t want to be tied down to anyone’s time frame besides my own. I’m exhausted, and it’s hard to make sound decisions right now. I can sense that.”
The dedicated mother honestly said she didn’t know how long this hiatus might last. “I’ve had a consistent workload and felt fortunate. Yet, I noticed that work was maybe turning into an escape for me, something like blindly opening the fridge for something that isn’t there,” she reflected.
Coping with Heartbreak
August 2023 marked a tragic chapter, as Sandra’s partner, Bryan Randall, left us at 57. His prolonged struggle with ALS meant that Sandra prioritized her family and took some time to heal from this profound loss.
Reports from that time suggested that Sandra and Bryan had privately exchanged vows before he left, though she has since handled her grief in silence, choosing to step back from her career for nearly a year until she hinted at making a comeback.
The Comeback
In 2024, while chatting on the podcast 50 MPH, Sandra and her Speed co-star Keanu reignited the conversation about potentially collaborating on another film.
“I, honestly, before my time is up, need Keanu and I to share the screen again, whether we’re in wheelchairs or moving with walkers. Just a thought!” she joked. This year, it was confirmed that they will reunite for an Amazon MGM Studios project.
The announcement about the Practical Magic sequel came shortly after; in June 2024, both Sandra and Nicole confirmed their return. “25 years ago, the characters inspired by Alice Hoffman’s novel captured hearts on-screen, excited to present a new chapter for fans, both old and new.”, the team stated. Check out the Google Meet reunion between Sandra and Nicole down below…
