Over a decade has passed since the curtain fell on “Wizards of Waverly Place” in 2012, following four successful seasons. However, the magic was rekindled when stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie reunited for the spinoff, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” as if no time had passed at all.
Gomez shared her feelings of nostalgia at the Season 4 premiere of “Only Murders in the Building” in Hollywood, saying, “It felt like I was home again. I’m overjoyed to reintroduce this childhood gift that was bestowed upon me to a new generation of young fans.”
Gomez admitted that when the original “Wizards” series ended, she didn’t envision reprising her role as Alex Russo. However, she now harbors hopes that the spinoff will enjoy a multi-season run. “We’re not sure yet, but if the audience enjoys it, we’ll see,” she added.
David Henrie, who returns as Alex’s brother Justin, revealed, “Over the years, Selena, my wife, and I spent countless hours sipping wine and discussing the potential paths of the characters. At one point, we realized we had the makings of a show. We decided to pitch it to Disney, and after years of development, it’s finally where it needs to be.”
Henrie continued, “The idea was born out of love. Even to this day, the most common question Selena gets asked is about ‘Wizards.’ It’s a show that resonated with many.”
The spinoff was announced by Gomez during Disney’s 2024 upfront presentation in May. At the same time, images from the show were released, showcasing the adult versions of Alex and Justin alongside new members of the Russo family.
Describing his experience of working with Gomez again, Henrie said, “It was surreal. We were behind a door, and when we heard ‘Action,’ we looked at each other and thought, ‘This is insane.’ It felt as though not a single day had passed in 12 years. We were right back to where we left off.”
“Wizards: Beyond Waverly Place” focuses on an adult Justin, who has chosen to lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada (Mimi Gianopulos), Roman (Alkaio Thiele), and Milo (Max Matenko). When Alex brings Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) to his home seeking help, Justin agrees to mentor the wizard-in-training while also balancing his everyday responsibilities and protecting the future of the Wizard World.
Henrie is also optimistic about the possibility of additional seasons: “It’s such a rich universe. There’s so much we could do.”
Henrie is using his original wand in the spinoff. When the show ended in 2012, the cast was gifted their wands encased in glass as wrap presents. “I thought to myself, I’m definitely going to use this again,” Henrie shared.
Credit: variety.com
