As someone who has grown up with a lifetime of Disney magic, I must say that the return of the Waverly Place wizards has been nothing short of enchanting! Having binge-watched the original series during my college years (and let’s be honest, more than once), I can confidently say that the new spinoff, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, is a delightful surprise.
Starting next week, fresh installments of “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” will be broadcasted according to the 2024 TV schedule. But if you’re a Disney+ subscriber, you can stream the initial eight episodes immediately on their platform!
In discussing the creation of the spinoff series, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” it’s clear that a great deal of effort is required. With veterans Selena Gomez and David Henrie reprising their roles as grown-ups, the new generation of actors had the daunting task of maintaining the magic for the follow-up series. During my interview with the cast of “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” I inquired about their familiarity with the original show and their preparation methods. Their response was endearing.
As a devoted fan, I’d like to share some insights about my favorite show, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.” It’s an exciting new chapter, where our beloved character Justin (David Henrie), upon his sister’s (Selena Gomez) request, is now mentoring a novice wizard. Now, Justin is a family man, with two adorable boys – Milo and Roman, brilliantly portrayed by Max Matenko and Alkaio Thiele. Interestingly, Max confessed he was unfamiliar with the series before landing the role but quickly binge-watched it and felt a tad apprehensive about following such a beloved original series. However, he’s relying on the loyal fanbase to guide him through this exciting sequel journey!
Initially, I hadn’t given it much attention, but once we delved into the series, I found myself compulsively watching episode after episode, utterly captivated. Frankly, it left me feeling a tad apprehensive, as I contemplated our daunting task of matching the exceptional caliber of this legendary show. However, I soon understood that it could serve as a springboard for our production, given the existing fan base and all its advantages. In retrospect, I can’t help but wish I had seen it earlier.
Thiele too acknowledged his apprehension, particularly regarding recreating the same essence as the initial production for this new version. However, he found solace in leaning on Henrie and Gomez during the process, which subsequently made it “straightforward” to feed off their humor and replicate that enchantment.
Initially, I was worried we wouldn’t manage to preserve key aspects from the initial series, as our goal is to cater to a new audience while still appealing to older fans. However, upon reflection, having David Henrie in the cast and Selena Gomez appearing in the premiere, they truly embody the original show’s spirit. Consequently, it becomes simpler to build upon their performances and replicate that unique energy, revisiting familiar themes that longtime viewers will undoubtedly appreciate.
It’s heartwarming to note that, almost instinctively, Henrie and Gomez played a significant role in helping the kids settle into their roles for the series, which is quite endearing – it feels like they are passing on the mantle to the upcoming Disney actors. Remarkably, Gomez even offered guidance to Janice LeAnn Brown, the lead actress of the show. As producers and stars of the new production, it’s evident that they have positively influenced the entire young cast of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place in an outstanding manner with these two.
But as with any fun Disney show, there’s always the lead character who has a best friend. In Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, that’s Winter, Billie’s best friend, who Hollywood newcomer Taylor Cora plays.
Besides confessing that she hadn’t watched the initial show, Cora acknowledged that the apprehension was already present even before landing the role, all due to the pressure of meeting expectations. Later on, she decided to watch an episode to help her prepare for her audition, basing it on Harper, Alex’s friend in the original production.
Before trying out for the show, I wasn’t very familiar with it. However, while auditioning, I took a peek at one episode to avoid feeling overwhelmed by having to match up to all the characters from the original series. To make my performance unique, I primarily based my auditions on Harper since Winter and Harper share many similarities. Nevertheless, I admire the original show and believe our new version will be equally fantastic!
From what I’ve watched so far, I can’t wait to find out more about their friendship and if it will rank among the top Disney Channel friendships. Given Cora’s commitment, I think there’s a good chance it could reach those heights.
Despite this, it’s delightful to learn that the children were both thrilled and anxious about shooting this series, most of whom are essentially new faces in Tinseltown. On a personal note, having been a fan of the original show and eagerly anticipating a Wizards of Waverly Place reunion or follow-up for years, I can freely admit they did an excellent job. I’m genuinely grateful that the senior cast members were there to guide them. This only fuels my desire to revisit Wizards of Waverly Place once more.
Now, we’re focusing on where this story is headed next, and whether or not these characters – Alex, Justin, and Max – will find themselves in more mischief. It’s reminiscent of the original Russo siblings, but let’s hope they don’t reach the darkest points on Disney’s list like their predecessors did. However, I must admit I’ve been caught off guard by unexpected turns before.
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2024-10-30 20:07