As a longtime fan of magical realms and enchanting storylines, I’ve eagerly anticipated the return of the Wizards of Waverly Place family for quite some time now. Having grown up with the Russo siblings, their whimsical world has left an indelible mark on my heart and imagination. The anticipation was palpable when I heard about the Disney+ reboot, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
Debuting on October 29, 2024, the Disney+ revival titled “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” is an alluring re-imagining of the 2007 fantasy series for teens, Wizards of Waverly Place. This semi-sequel and spin-off sees some familiar characters from the past returning as adults, with David Henrie reprising his role as Justin Russo, the show’s central character. However, Justin’s contented family life takes an unexpected turn when his sister, Alex Russo, shows up seeking assistance.
Despite the new series focusing on a group of young wizards, some familiar faces from the initial teen sitcom are set to reappear as a delightful throwback for fans. If you’re wondering if the Disney+ revival of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is worth tuning in for, knowing which original characters will be involved can help you decide either way.
David Henrie as Justin Russo
As a devoted film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to step back into the magical shoes of Justin Russo in the revamped series “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place”. From 2007 through 2012, I brought this charming teen wizard to life on Disney Channel’s popular sitcom “Wizars of Waverly Place”. In this exciting reboot, we find Justin now as a married man residing on Staten Island with my lovely wife Giada (Mimi Gianapulos) and our two enchanting kids, Roman (Alkaio Thiele) and Milo (Max Matenko). Can’t wait to share this new adventure with all the fans!
Originally, Justin was the oldest member of the Russo clan, famed as the brightest teenage sorcerer capable of performing over 5,000 enchantments. Twelve years following the conclusion of the initial series where he was still a youth, Justin now guides a fresh generation of young wizards, sharing the wisdom he’s amassed during his adult years. However, the tension escalates in the remake when Justin’s younger sister, Alex Russo, appears seeking magical training, after Justin has decided to relinquish his supernatural abilities.
Selena Gomez as Alex Russo
In the initial episode, Selena Gomez makes a reappearance in the guest spotlight as Alex Russo, a role she previously played on Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Between 2007 and 2012, Gomez portrayed Alex Russo, the only female witch among the Russo siblings in the original Disney series. Known for her cunning, manipulative, and self-reliant personality, Alex’s rebellious spirit frequently lands her in hot water at both school and home.
In the TV show “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” Alex sets the story in motion by introducing a new witch, Billie (played by Janice LeAnn Brown), whom she entrusts to her brother Justin for training. As the series progresses, Billie learns to adapt and improve her magical skills. Apart from being Justin’s sister, Alex also serves as a sort of guardian figure for Billie, as well as the aunt of Roman and Milo. Characters Gomez and Henrie feature in every episode of “Wizards of Waverly Place.” With the series finale scheduled to air on November 22, 2024, don’t miss out to see if Gomez makes an appearance after the pilot!
David DeLuise as Jerry Russo
In Episode 7 titled “We’re Gonna Need a Bigger Float,” I step back into the spotlight as a special guest star, reprising my role as Jerry Russo in the exciting continuation of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. I first brought this character to life from 2007 to 2012, where I relinquished my magical abilities to marry Theresa Russo. Although it seems like Theresa and our youngest brother Max Russo (Jake T. Austin) are missing from the rebooted storyline, I find myself following in Jerry’s footsteps alongside Justin.
As a devoted cinephile, I find myself drawn to the captivating narrative of a character who once held magical powers, only to lose them by marrying a mortal in the original series. This resonates with Justin’s predicament as he ties the knot with Giada and surrenders his magical abilities for the sake of starting a new family. In the revamped version, Jerry assumes the role of a loving grandfather to Milo and Roman, striving tirelessly to safeguard his family from the chaos that ensues when Alex and Billie enter the picture, stirring up fresh supernatural disturbances.
Potential Returning Characters
As a thrilled fan, I’m excitedly anticipating the possibility of seeing more members from the Russo family grace our screens again in “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place”. In early 2024, Entertainment Tonight revealed that Jake T. Austin will reprise his role as Max Russo, the charming youngest sibling. Austin himself hinted at his potential return on Instagram, sharing a heartwarming cast reunion photo with David Henrie, who is now a producer. Although he hasn’t appeared yet, there’s a strong chance we’ll see Jake again in the series sometime down the line.
In June 2024, it was revealed that Maria Canals-Barrera would once again take on the character of Theresa Russo, the mortal matriarch, in the series. Canals-Barrera played this role in the original Wizards of Waverly Place, bridging her human persona with her magical family members who were wizards. It’s uncertain why Theresa hasn’t appeared yet in the Disney+ reboot, but if the show is renewed for a second season, there’s a chance she could return. Assuming that Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 1 finishes on November 22, 2024, we might see Theresa and Max together then.
Regardless of who may or may not return, showrunners Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas have already been met with backlash over the lack of original characters, telling The Hollywood Reporter:
Our ultimate goal is to reunite all cast members during this current season and beyond, creating memorable fan experiences reminiscent of the original series. However, it’s a challenge in the first season since we’re focusing on narrating stories about the new characters and setting them up as the main protagonists.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is available to stream on Disney+.
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2024-11-08 05:02