Selena Gomez reunites with Wizards of Waverly Place cast in first look at sequel
Selena Gomez and David Henrie are returning for a Wizards of Waverly Place sequel. (John Shearer/WireImage/ Jesse Grant / Stringer/Getty)
Selena Gomez has reunited with her former Wizards of Waverly Place co-stars in what appears to be a first look at the upcoming sequel.
The Calm Down singer was pictured alongside her on-screen brother David Henrie — who is set to executive produce the new series with Gomez — and her on-screen dad Jerry, David DeLuise, and fictional mum Maria Canals-Barrera.
However, her on-screen little brother Max, played by Jake T. Austin, was not present for the picture.
DeLuise and Henrie posted the picture on 26 January in a joint post, writing: “The Russos, coming back.”
On 19 January Henrie confirmed the upcoming series with an Instagram snap of the front page of the “Pilot” network draft script, written by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas. “The Russo’s are excited to become a part of your family, once again, but we’ve grown. 2024, the year magic comes back!,” the post was captioned.
Fans will recall the hilarious original series from their youth, which saw a 15-year-old Gomez helping to run her family’s New York deli by day, and training as a wizard by night. Similar series running on the network at the time included Cole and Dylan Sprouse’s Suite Life of Zach & Cody, Miley Cyrus’ Hannah Montana, Kyle Massey’s Cory in the House, and Demi Lovato’s Sonny with a Chance.
Now, Disney Branded Television has ordered a pilot for the follow-up to the classic Zillennial comedy. The 31-year-old is set to guest star in the pilot, reviving her breakout character Alex Russo, for the upcoming Disney Channel follow-up, according to Deadline.
Henrie will be reprising his role of Justin Russo as a series regular, as he is joined by new cast members Janice LeAnn Brown (Disney’s Just Roll with It), Alkaio Thiele (Call Me Kat) and Mimi Gianopulos (American Princess).
Writers and executive producers Elinoff and Thomas are behind the revival pilot and have already revived another Zillennial series, That’s So Raven, in the form of the spinoff, Raven’s Home.
The new series will be addressing a mysterious incident at WizTech, where an adult Justin has left his wizard powers behind in exchange for a normal, human life with his wife and two sons. Justin is then surprised when a powerful young wizard in need of training shows up at his door, and he has no choice but to embrace his wizard past to ensure the future of the Wizard World.
Billie, the young wizard whom Justin trains, is set to be played by series lead Brown. Thiele will play Roman Russo, Justin’s oldest son; Gianopulos will play Justin’s wife, Giada.
As well as Gomez, Henrie, Elinoff and Thomas, Gary Marsh (Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red) and Andy Fickman (Race to Witch Mountain) will also executive produce, with Fickman directing the upcoming series.
We can’t wait to re-live our childhood with this series.
