Lee Pace found himself in an unexpectedly awkward moment during a TODAY interview after mentioning cooking as an example of a woman's 'magic power' while discussing powerful women in his new film, Practical Magic 2.
The actor appeared on the programme on Thursday, September 10, to promote the long-awaited sequel, which sees Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman return to their roles from the original 1998 fantasy film. During his conversation with host Craig Melvin, Pace spoke about the film's witches and the broader idea of female power.
But when he reached for an example, his choice of cooking prompted Melvin to call him out gently.
Lee Pace Brings Up Cooking as a 'Magic Power'
While talking about Practical Magic 2, Pace explained that the film had given him an opportunity to think beyond the idea of witches and consider what makes women powerful.
'This movie, it's a movie about witches and it's given me the opportunity to think about... I mean, I guess if you remove the word 'witch' from it, you think about powerful women,' Pace said during the interview.
He then offered a familiar domestic example.
'You know, a woman who can cook you an incredible meal,' Pace continued. He described eating something as simple as chicken and lemon and wondering why it tasted so good, asking whether that could be considered 'some kind of magic power'.
The comment was clearly intended as a playful comparison between everyday talents and the supernatural abilities at the centre of Practical Magic 2. However, Melvin immediately noticed that Pace had chosen cooking as his first example.
Craig Melvin Calls Him Out
Melvin responded with a light-hearted observation that changed the tone of the conversation.
'Yeah, a lot of women, though, who heard you say that, the first superpower you mentioned was cooking,' the TODAY host told him.
Rather than becoming defensive, Pace laughed and accepted the criticism.
'Well, I could mention lots of other... I mean, you're right. You called me out for that, so thank you for that,' he replied.
He then encouraged Melvin not to let him avoid the moment, adding: 'Don't let me off the hook on that one, please, please.'
Melvin explained that he was simply giving Pace an opportunity to clarify the remark, joking that social media users might otherwise 'come after' him.
Pace then broadened his point, joking about the film's witches before acknowledging that there are 'lots of different powers' women can have.
The exchange lasted only briefly, but it provided one of the more memorable moments from Pace's TODAY appearance.
Pace Joins the Practical Magic World
The conversation came as Pace promotes his role in Practical Magic 2, the sequel to the 1998 film starring Bullock and Kidman as sisters Sally and Gillian Owens.
Pace did not appear in the original movie. In the sequel, he plays Ian Wright, a historian and magic expert who gets involved with Sally as she tries to uncover secrets surrounding her past and her magical abilities.
The actor has spoken positively about working with Bullock and Kidman, describing the opportunity as a major reason he wanted to join the project.
'It was a privilege to get to work with Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman,' Pace said. 'That's why I wanted to be a part of it and I was richly rewarded with that experience.'
Pace also revealed that he loved the original Practical Magic, making the chance to appear in the sequel difficult to turn down.
A New Chapter for the Practical Magic Story
Practical Magic 2 brings the original leads back to the world of the Owens family while introducing a new generation of characters.
Alongside Bullock, Kidman and Pace, the sequel features Joey King, Maisie Williams and Xolo Maridueña. Pace's character provides a new connection to the magical world at the centre of the story, with the actor describing his involvement with the film as an enjoyable experience.
Pace has also teased a playful relationship between Ian and Bullock's Sally. During the TODAY conversation, he described the two characters as having a 'good flirt', while encouraging audiences to see the film for themselves.
Pace Takes the Moment in Good Humour
Although Melvin's comment created an awkward pause, the exchange did not turn into a serious confrontation. Pace appeared to understand the point immediately and willingly acknowledged that his first example could have been broader.
That willingness to laugh at himself ultimately became the defining feature of the moment.
The interview also gave Pace the chance to discuss his longstanding connection with fantasy projects. The actor has previously played major fantasy roles, including Thranduil in The Hobbit films, as well as appearing in Twilight and Marvel productions.
For Pace, fantasy is more than escapism. He has previously described the genre as a way for audiences to step away from reality while still having an opportunity to reflect on their own lives.
With Practical Magic 2 now arriving in cinemas, Pace's brief cooking comment may have provided an unexpected talking point, but his larger message about the many different forms of power was ultimately where the conversation landed.
