Disney Branded Television has given the green light for a sequel to the beloved comedy, ‘Wizards of Waverly Place.’ The pilot, backed by executive producers and original stars Selena Gomez and David Henrie, is set to bring back the magic to the small screen.
Gomez, in her nostalgic return, will make a guest appearance as the iconic character Alex Russo, while Henrie reprises his role as Justin Russo, now a series regular.
Adding a fresh twist to the enchanting tale, the revival introduces new cast members, including Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele, and Mimi Gianopulos. The revival, spearheaded by writers and executive producers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, creators of another Disney Channel hit, ‘Raven’s Home,’ picks up the narrative after a mysterious incident at WizTech.
In this sequel, an adult Justin Russo has traded his wizard powers for a conventional, human life with his wife and two sons. However, a surprising turn of events unfolds when a powerful young wizard, Billie, portrayed by Janice LeAnn Brown, seeks Justin’s guidance. The narrative unfolds as Justin must reconcile with his magical past to safeguard the future of the Wizard World.
Joining the ensemble cast, Alkaio Thiele takes on the role of Roman Russo, Justin’s eldest son and Mimi Gianopulos plays Justin’s wife, Giada.
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Apart from the familiar faces of Gomez and Henrie, the creative team behind the scenes includes writers and executive producers Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas. Additionally, Gary Marsh and Andy Fickman join as executive producers, with Fickman also taking on the directorial duties.
Gary Marsh, former Disney Channels creative executive and a key figure in the success of the original series reunites with the project. He played a pivotal role in discovering Selena Gomez through an open casting call in Dallas, ultimately bringing her to the Disney network.
The pilot order for the ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ sequel marks the culmination of years of speculation and online chatter about the potential revival or reboot. It aligns with Disney Branded Television’s strategy to enhance Disney Channel’s lineup of multi-camera sitcoms.