Selena Gomez and David Henrie to Reprise Their Roles in Disney Channel's 'Wizards of Waverly Place' Revival Pilot

The Reunion of Alex and Justin Russo

Selena Gomez and David Henrie, who portrayed onscreen siblings Alex and Justin Russo in the original 'Wizards of Waverly Place' series, are set to reunite for Disney Channel's revival pilot.

Selena Gomez Will Return as Alex Russo in New Wizards of Waverly Place Pilot With David Henrie

Gomez took to her Instagram Story to share the exciting news with fans, captioning a new article screenshot with 'So excited!! ❤️' In another post, she shared a picture of herself and Henrie from the original series, with the caption 'WE’RE BACK.' Henrie, equally thrilled, shared his excitement on his own Instagram Story, expressing that he had been waiting to talk about this for a long time.

Selena Gomez Will Return as Alex Russo in New Wizards of Waverly Place Pilot With David Henrie

The pilot of the revival will see Gomez make a guest appearance as Alex, while the story will focus on a grown-up Justin and his family. After giving up his powers, Justin will guide a young wizard named Billie, played by Janice LeAnn Brown, to secure the future of the wizard world. The revival will introduce new characters, including Mimi Gianopulos as Justin’s wife, Giada, and Alkaio Thiele as one of Justin’s sons, Roman. The pilot will be written and executive produced by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, known for their work on 'Raven’s Home,' and will also have Gomez and Henrie as executive producers.

Selena Gomez Will Return as Alex Russo in New Wizards of Waverly Place Pilot With David Henrie

The Return of Wizards of Waverly Place

The original 'Wizards of Waverly Place' series, which ran for four seasons from 2007 to 2012, followed the magical adventures of wizard siblings Justin, Alex, and Max. The series also featured David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrera as the parents, Jerry and Theresa Russo, and Jennifer Stone as Alex’s best friend, Harper Finkle.

The series concluded with Alex becoming a full wizard after winning the family wizard competition, and Justin retaining his powers as the new headmaster of WizTech. The revival will continue the story, focusing on a grown-up Justin and his family as they navigate the challenges of the wizarding world. Fans can expect to see the return of familiar faces and the introduction of new characters, adding depth to the magical universe of 'Wizards of Waverly Place.'

The Rekindling of Onscreen and Offscreen Bonds

The 'Wizards of Waverly Place' cast has continued to stay in touch over the years, with a mini reunion taking place at David Henrie’s wedding in April 2017. Since then, Henrie and his wife, Maria Cahill, have become parents, while Selena Gomez served as an executive producer on Henrie’s feature-length directorial debut, 'This Is the Year.'

In a candid moment, Gomez revealed her feelings of guilt for not keeping in close contact with her castmates as her career soared. She expressed this during an episode of the 'Wizards of Waverly Pod' podcast in February 2023, where she opened up about her struggles and the fear of letting her friends down. The cast’s continued bond and collaboration on various projects showcase the enduring friendships formed during their time on the beloved series.