Selena Gomez started at Disney and has now managed to reign supreme both in the music as well as acting arena. But the singer hasn’t forgotten her roots. Gomez has returned to Disney Channel memory lane as she is revisiting the small screen alongside on-screen brother David Henrie in the long-overdue revival ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’.
The show has already gained approval for 21 episodes. Gómez, who began life playing the sassy Alex Russo, and Henrie, who played her older brother, Justin, aren’t only reprising their roles — they’re also coming on board as executive producers alongside Jed Elinoff, Scott Thomas, Andy Fickman, and Gary Marsh. Here’s what Gomez has to say about this special, nostalgic project.
Selena Gomez Values The Legacy Of ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’
For both Selena Gomez and David Henrie, the ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’ revival has been a labor of love, born from the hundreds of “wine nights” spent dreaming up what might become of their characters as adults. “We kept talking about it! ” Gomez said in a recent interview with Variety at the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’.
“We never felt any pressure… It just came to a point where we were like, ‘Maybe we got something here,‘” Henrie added. “The original fan should know there was never a mandate to be like, ‘We have to make this show, now’s the time to make the show.’ It just came to a point where we were like, ‘Maybe we got something here.’”
“I hope the audience is going to really connect with Billie,” Gomez said. “She gives me something that I couldn’t give you. it’s actually so separate from me, but it ties so closely to Alex.
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Meanwhile, the case of the show is all praise for her performance. “I talk a lot about Selena’s humility to the cast — if she can do it, anyone can do it — and that’s a way to get success in your personal life and in your professional life. It’s the best attitude,” Henrie said.
For Gomez, who previously called the show her “childhood gift,” it is more about the legacy the show carries. “Part of that journey is definitely having people like David in my life who are honest and can care and love me for me. I just want to provide that for the next generation,” she said.
What Is ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’ About?
In ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’, Justin trains a new, young wizard named Billie, played by Janice LeAnn Brown, who is brought to him by Ale. Billie is her “found family,” much like Alex in mirroring the mischievous spark.
The reboot has a new cast, which includes Justin played by Henrie, his wife Giada played by Mimi Gianopulos, his sons Milo Max played by Matenko and Roman played by Alkaio Thiele, Billie’s friend Winter played by Taylor Cora, and Gomez herself in guest appearances.
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The premier also lured in some familiar faces from the Disney Channel past, including ‘Wizards’ alum Gregg Sulkin and Maria Canals-Barrera, plus Jason Earles, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Cody Linley, ‘Hannah Montana’, along with ‘High School Musical’ pair Corbin Bleu and Monique Coleman.
All came out for red-carpet interviews about their new role as present-day wizards, supporting Sabrina in ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’. The show will premiere Tuesday on Disney+ and on Disney on Demand the day after.
