It’s been over a decade since Wizards of Waverly Place wrapped up in 2012. In what seems straight out of the wishlist of fans, Selena Gomez (Alex Russo) and David Henrie (Justin Russo) will reunite for the 2024 spinoff, titled Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
The Wizards of Waverly Place revival picks up with the Russo siblings well into adulthood, offering a fresh take on the magical adventures that drew in a generation of viewers. The news was announced by Gomez at Disney's 2024 upfront presentation.
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The original Wizards of Waverly Place followed three Russo siblings — Alex, Justin, and Max — as they faced the challenges of growing up while mastering their wizard powers. The new series leaps forward and explores a more mature storyline.
In an interview with Variety on August 22, 2024 at the Season 4 premiere of Only Murders in the Building, Gomez revealed how stepping back into her role as Alex Russo felt like:
“I’m so happy I got to bring back this childhood gift that I was given to new little ones out there,” she said.
Selena Gomes and David Henrie talk about starring in the Wizards of Waverly Place reboot
In the same interview, she discussed her return to the iconic role. Gomez shared her hopes for a multi-season run but noted that it would depend on the reception from fans.
Adding that she was thrilled to reintroduce Alex Russo’s magic to a new audience, she said:
"It felt like I was home again."
David Henrie, who reprises his role as Justin Russo, has been equally vocal about his excitement. According to Variety, Henrie revealed how the idea for the spinoff was born out of casual conversations with Gomez over the years.
“Selena and I and my wife spent so much time... talking about where the characters would be,” Henrie explained.
Eventually, they approached Disney with the idea, which took years of development to finalize. The 35-year-old described the experience of filming with Gomez again as “bonkers,” recalling how they both instantly fell back into their old dynamic.
He added:
“It was like a day hadn’t passed in 12 years. We were right back to where we were.”
The cast of the Wizards of Waverly Place reboot and the characters they play
In addition to Selena Gomez and David Henrie reprising their iconic roles, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place will see the return of familiar faces. Maria Canals-Barrera will reprise her role as Theresa Russo, and David DeLuise will reprise his role as Jerry Russo.
Jake T. Austin, who played the goofy younger brother Max, is also set to return, confirming the news via his Instagram Stories, as reported by People on August 12, 2024. However, fans shouldn’t expect Gomez to be a series regular. She will appear in the pilot and serve as an executive producer, allowing Henrie to take center stage.
The spinoff will also introduce new characters including Justin’s family: his wife Giada, played by Mimi Gianopulos, and their two sons, Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko). Janice LeAnn Brown, known for her role in Just Roll With It, will play Billie, a young wizard who seeks Justin’s guidance.
Although an official release date is yet to be confirmed, the Wizards of Waverly Place spinoff is expected to debut in the fall of 2024.
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