Selena Gomez and David Henrie bring magic back with ‘Wizards beyond Waverly Place’

A magical reunion

From wine nights to serious meetings, former “Wizards of Waverly Place” co-stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie have transformed casual reunions into a major TV revival project. Reflecting on what their characters, Alex and Justin Russo, would be up to in present times, the idea for a reboot slowly came to life.

“And then, at a certain point, I called Selena and said, ‘Hey, I want to take this to Disney. Should we do this?'” recalled Henrie with enthusiasm. It’s no exaggeration to say that “Wizards of Waverly Place,” which captivated global audiences before concluding in 2012, still resonates in the hearts of many fans. The series, centered on magically gifted siblings, launched Gomez into superstardom and remains a beloved show among young audiences.

Bringing back the Russos

Due to the creative spark ignited from those wine nights and Disney’s eagerness to rediscover the show’s magic, fans will again join the Russos in their newest adventures in the sequel series, “Wizards beyond Waverly Place”. Mark your calendars for its premiere on October 29 on Disney Channel, with streaming available on Disney+ and Disney on Demand the following day. David Henrie will star while Selena Gomez will make guest appearances; both actors also serve as executive producers.

Creating a heartfelt revival

Reflecting on their new venture, Henrie highlighted their mutual desire to retain the original spirit of the series. “So, you need to bring back familial values. It needs to be funny. It needs to be for kids. We didn’t want an edgy, single-cam reimagining. We wanted to preserve the heart and humor,” he explained.

The new series is a multi-camera sitcom, which sees a now mortal Justin Russo settled in Staten Island with a wife and two sons. The premiere introduces Alex bringing a tween wizard, Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), whose fate is intertwined with the world’s destiny. Justin becomes her mentor while Alex investigates just how powerful Billie is in the Wizard World. The show is helmed by Scott Thomas and Jed Elinoff, who previously co-created Disney’s successful reboot, “Raven’s Home”.

Embracing a younger cast

The revival kicks off with a younger cast compared to the original, with Justin’s sons (played by Alkaio Thiele and Max Matenko), Billie and her friend Winter (Taylor Cora) taking the central roles. This demographic targeting, with kids aged six to eleven in mind, was a deliberate choice to preserve the show’s innocence and wide-eyed wonder.

“It allows us to focus on telling kids’ stories in a purely innocent way,” said one of the executive producers. The creators are excited to let the audience grow with this new cast, promising a fun progression over time.

Catering to old and new fans

Henrie stressed the importance of balancing between old and new fans: “I really wanted it to be 50/50. The old fan’s gonna watch it and go, ‘OK, this is something where they’re definitely holding my hand and giving me a big hug.’ But this is really meant for a new generation.” The show aims to introduce fresh storylines while carrying beloved references from the original series.

On-set mentorship and protection

Another notable aspect of the new series is Henrie’s mentorship role. Deeply committed to the well-being of the young cast, Henrie has leveraged his extensive experience in the industry to foster a supportive and stress-free environment. Disney has also implemented safeguards for child actors, including seminars and therapists — resources Henrie wished had been available during his own early career.

A dialogue coach who guides the young actors in their weekly scripts also bridges communications between the production team and the young cast. This ensures a fair, smooth, and comprehensible approach to notes, crucial for many first-time actors.

Sustaining old traditions

Henrie and Gomez aimed to recreate the familial atmosphere behind the scenes akin to the original series days. Pranks from the old set, like kicking someone’s knee as they looked away, have been reintroduced, fostering a jovial spirit among the new cast. “It felt like I was home again,” Gomez shared, reflecting on reviving these beloved traditions.

Ensuring a positive experience for the cast

Both Henrie and Gomez emphasize the importance of creating a positive and nurturing environment on set. Henrie’s experience and effort to only bring forward the best of the industry’s practices aim to ensure the child actors find their journey enjoyable and stress-free.

Henrie, a seasoned actor himself, spoke to the shifts in the industry, introducing mental health talks and providing a supportive production environment. Henrie’s historical insights into the pressures of child acting underscore the robust support system now in place for the new cast.

Looking ahead

With a whopping 21 episodes already ordered for the first season, Disney is confident in the show’s appeal to both nostalgic audiences and a new generation of fans. Aimed at fostering long-term engagement, the series promises continuous enjoyment and growth with its young stars.

Will “Wizards beyond Waverly Place” captivate the cultural zeitgeist and inspire a new wave of Disney stars, much like “High School Musical” and “Bluey”? Only time will tell, but the magical combination of nostalgic love and fresh storytelling assures viewers of an enchanting journey ahead.

Experience the magic, share these memories with your loved ones, and stay tuned for more magical updates by following us on our journey. The heirs of the magic must carry the torch forward, and we are here to witness it unfold.

The recreated magical realm of “Wizards beyond Waverly Place” beckons old fans and new adventurers alike. Get ready for laughs, heartwarming moments, and a sprinkle of magic!# Reimagining the Russo Magic: ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’

From casual chats to grand ideas

After countless quiet evenings of reminiscing, former “Wizards of Waverly Place” co-stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie have brought their whimsical musings to life. What started as informal chats over wine has now evolved into the highly anticipated reboot, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place”. This time, the magic returns with freshly spun narratives and a dash of nostalgia.

“One night, I just picked up the phone and called Selena. I told her, ‘Hey, let’s take this to Disney. Should we go for it?’” Henrie remembered. The original show, which ended in 2012, had left an indelible mark, captivating young viewers with the adventures of the magically inclined Russo siblings. Henrie and Gomez’s return aims to reclaim that lost magic while introducing it to a new generation.

Creating a magical sequel

Thanks to Disney’s eagerness and the duo’s passion, we can now expect “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” to premiere just in time for Halloween on October 29. The sequel promises to catch up with the Russos, offering a seamless blend of heartwarming comedy and familial values—an echo of its predecessor.

Staying true to the roots

Henrie emphasized the importance of maintaining the essence of the original series. “We wanted to go back to what made the original show great—its humor, its heart, and its familial values. We didn’t want to turn it into an edgy, single-cam experience.”

The reboot is set as a multi-camera sitcom featuring a now mortal Justin Russo living in Staten Island. Alex, portrayed by Gomez, brings a young wizard, Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), into Justin’s world, entangling her in a destiny of great significance. Executive producers Scott Thomas and Jed Elinoff, who successfully co-created Disney’s “Raven’s Home”, are once again at the helm.

A youthful cast with innocent charm

One notable shift in the sequel is the younger cast featuring Justin’s sons, Billie, and her friend Winter. This decision allows the show to retain an innocence and a sense of wonder, steering clear of teenage angst and romance.

“It’s about taking kids back to that wide-eyed wonder, the magic you feel before high school brings in complexities like crushes and romance,” one of the executive producers explained. This makes the show’s new adventures accessible to children aged six to eleven, as well as their parents.

Balancing old fans and new viewers

Achieving a perfect blend for both veteran fans and new viewers is crucial. Henrie assured, “It’s a 50/50 blend. Old fans will get the warm hug of nostalgia while we introduce new viewers to this enchanting world.” The series aims to balance time-honored references with new story arcs to make both demographics feel catered to.

On-set mentorship and mental wellness

Henrie has taken a mentorship role, aiming to shield the young cast from the pitfalls of early fame. Reflecting on his own experiences, he acknowledged that conversations about stress and mental health were nonexistent in his childhood acting days. “Nowadays, there are resources, and we’re committed to making sure these kids feel supported,” Henrie said, referring to Disney’s modern safeguards like therapy sessions and child-actor seminars.

A dialogue coach on set assists the youngsters in learning their lines and acts as a vital communication bridge between the crew and the young actors. This nurturing environment fosters a positive atmosphere that hopefully aids the child actors in flourishing without the burden of undue stress.

Charming traditions and playful pranks

Reviving the spirit of the original show goes beyond on-screen magic. Behind the scenes, Henrie has rekindled playful traditions, such as pranking fellow cast members by tapping the back of their knees. The new cast has also embraced a classic ritual of signing the lair, a tradition passed down from Gomez and Henrie.

Gomez expressed heartfelt joy over the reboot: “Shooting this series felt like coming home. Sharing this gift with a new generation is incredibly fulfilling.”

Maintaining authenticity and emotional touch

The creative team has ensured that the sets and props mirror the original series. The wizards’ lair has been meticulously recreated, and familiar locations, like the middle school named after the original show’s creator, offer nostalgic comfort to seasoned fans. Even when Alex is off-screen, her presence feels poignant as the storyline ties her intimately to Justin’s current experiences and the new generation of wizards.

Strategic revival timing

The decision to bring back “Wizards” is a timely one. A beloved Disney live-action franchise, its essence remains powerful among fans young and old. The love for the series continues to flourish, with Gomez and Henrie stepping up to enrich the revival, lending support and creative input which makes this reboot much more than a mere extension of the original series.

A promising first season with high hopes

With an initial 21-episode order, an unusual commitment in the streaming age, the “Wizards Beyond” project demonstrates Disney’s confidence in its appeal. When discussing what success looks like, projects like “High School Musical” and “Bluey” were cited as benchmarks—franchises that transcended their original platforms to become cultural phenomena.

New talent in the spotlight

At the heart of this resurgence is Janice LeAnn Brown, who steps into a role reminiscent of Gomez’s Alex but with a twist unique to her own storyline. Brown, who audiences might recognize from smaller roles, now finds herself at the center of a potentially career-defining series. Selena Gomez even shared some insightful advice with her: “Stay true to yourself, no matter what anyone says about your performance.” For Brown, the journey of her character, Billie, resonates personally—drawing parallels to her own experiences of finding family and acceptance.

A fresh era of enchantment

The ongoing success of shows like “Raven’s Home” suggests that multi-season opportunities are on the horizon, contingent on viewer reception. The creative minds behind ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’ have already laid out plans for a second season, hoping to grow and evolve the series further as the cast matures.

The reboot aims to capture the innocence and charm that were the bedrock of the original. A found Facebook post inviting friends to watch the series finale humorously underscores the timeless appeal of these magical narratives. “This is not a sleepover!” reads the parenthetical in the event details, capturing the unique cultural imprint left by the original show.

Sharing the magic, old and new

“Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” brings back the beloved magic, ready to charm both loyal fans and curious new viewers. Expand your love for the Russo family by sharing these fresh adventures, and stay tuned for more updates from this magical world. The story continues, enchanted as ever.

Explore the series trailer and let the enchantment unfold as we dive back into the magical world that captured our imaginations years ago.