Wizards of Waverly PlaceReboot: All About the Disney Show Revival Starring Selena Gomez

Mar. 15, 2025

From left; David DeLuise, David Henrie, Selena Gomez and Maria Canals-Barrera.Photo:David DeLuise Instagram

David DeLuise Instagram

After more than a decade away, the Russos are returning to their magical roots.

On the same day asDeadline’s announcement, Henrie posted a pictureon Instagramof the script for the pilot with a wand on top of it. He wrote in the caption, “The Russos are excitedto become a part of your family, once again, but we’ve grown 😊. 2024, the year magic comes back! 🪄.”

She also spoke about the upcoming reboot during aJimmy Kimmel Live!appearance,saying, “It’s gonna be really fun. I’m excited to bring the characters back … I’m excited for you guys to see it.”

Four months later, the actress announced the official title of the series when she took the stage at the ABC and Disney Upfronts event in August 2024:Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.

Here’s everything to know about theWizards of Waverly Placereboot.

When will theWizards of Waverly Placereboot be released?

David Henrie shares a photo of the script for the pilot episode of the ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ revival.David Henrie Instagram

David Henrie Instagram

While no official date has been confirmed, Henrie revealed on Instagram that the reboot will commence in 2024 as he shared a photo of the pilot script with a wand on top of it.

On Feb. 4, 2024, Henrie posted a videoon Instagramof the cast signing their names on the back of the set to confirm that the pilot episode had finished filming.

“That’s a wrap on the pilot of the sequel! On the original series we signed our names on the back of the set right at the beginning of the show, and now on the sequel we’re doing the same! Can’t wait for the Russos to become a part of your family, once again,” he wrote in the caption.

Which cast members are returning for theWizards of Waverly Placereboot?

From left: Jennifer Stone, David Henrie, Maria Canals-Barrera, Jake T. Austin and Selena Gomez in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’.Bruce Birmelin/Disney Channel/Getty

Bruce Birmelin/Disney Channel/Getty

Noticeably absent from the picture wasJake T. Austin, who played Gomez and Henrie’s on-screen goofy younger brother Max Russo. However, Austin confirmed that he will be returning when he shared the photo on his Instagram Stories with the text, “Wow! Am looking forward to getting together withmy wizards family.”

“David has said after the pilot, you know, which apparently now when you do a pilot you don’t have the back nine already, so once that happens I think Jerry Russo and Harper down the road could come back because we’re in that world,” DeLuise said. “I think it’s going to be successful and I think everything is going to work out.”

“As David said, ‘if it makes sense down the line,’ so we’ll see,” Stone continued. “I think to make a sequel or revival successful you have to tie in the original that people fell in love with and then create its own thing and kind of interweave those together, so it will be interesting to see how he pulls it off and I’m excited to see what he does with it.”

When fans became concerned about whether the original cast would return after DeLuise commented “Reboot?” on Henrie’s post announcing the new show, Henrie reassured them. “We definitely plan on bringing back the original cast for the series order 🙌❤️,” Henrie replied to a comment.

In August 2024, Disney shared abehind-the-scenes videoof the cast returning to the set for the first time and walking around the new Russo home. In one clip, Gomez says, “This is where it all started.We’re home.”

Which new cast members are joining theWizards of Waverly Placereboot?

The series will also welcome new starsJanice LeAnn Brownas the powerful, young wizard Billie, Alkaio Thiele as Justin’s eldest son Roman andMimi Gianopulosas Justin’s wife Giada. Brown — who will be the series lead — currently stars in Disney’sJust Roll With It, while Thiele recently appeared in the Fox sitcomCall Me Katand Gianopulos is best known for her supporting role in the 2012 romantic comedyWhat to Expect When You’re Expecting.

What is theWizards of Waverly Placereboot about?

From left: Ian Abercrombie, Jake T. Austin, David Henrie, Selena Gomez, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise in ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’'.Eric McCandless/Disney Channel/Getty

Eric McCandless/Disney Channel/Getty

According to an official synopsis, the series “picks up after a mysterious incident at WizTech, where an adult Justin Russo has left his wizard powers behind, opting for a normal, human life with his wife and two sons. But he gets a surprise when a powerful young wizard in need of training shows up at his door… and Justin must embrace his past to ensure the future of the Wizard World.”

When the original series ended, Justin was headmaster of WizTech — a wizarding school similar toHogwartsin theHarry Potterfranchise — and still had his powers, but it appears that is no longer the case.

Within the rules of theWizards of Waverly Placeworld, it is stated that a wizard must give up their powers to marry a non-magical mortal, which explains why Justin would have no powers.

Where can I watch theWizards of Waverly Placereboot?

Disney Channel’s official Instagram account alsoposted a pictureof the new series’ pilot script with the caption, “📍Waverly Place.”

Who is directing, writing and producing theWizards of Waverly Placereboot?

David Henrie; Selena Gomez.Dave Kotinsky/Getty ; Amy Sussman/Getty

Dave Kotinsky/Getty ; Amy Sussman/Getty

Henrie and Gomez will both serve as executive producers on the new series. Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas — writers and executive producers of another Disney Channel reboot,Raven’s Home,based on 2003’sThat’s So Raven— are confirmed to be executive producers on the new series and writers of the pilot.

Executive producer of Disney’s upcomingDescendants: The Rise of the RedfilmGary Marsh— who was formerly president and chief creative officer of Disney Branded Television — will also be an executive producer for the newWizards of Waverly Placeseries.

Andy Fickman— who directed Disney’s 2009 filmRace to Witch MountainstarringDwayne Johnson— will serve as the series’ director and sixth executive producer.

How did theWizards of Waverly Placeleave off?

Jake T. Austin, Selena Gomez, and David Henrie in the series finale of ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’.Craig Sjodin/Disney Channel/Getty

Craig Sjodin/Disney Channel/Getty

When we last saw Justin Russo in theWizards of Waverly Placeseries finale, he had been named headmaster of WizTech after Professor Crumb’s retirement announcement. This followed a dramatic competition between Max, Justin and Alex to determine which one of them would get to keep their powers and become the family wizard.

Justin won the competition, but revealed he only won because Alex helped him get his foot unstuck from a root so he gave up his powers so she could be named the family wizard. Despite Alex being named the family wizard, Justin had his powers reinstated for his new role at WizTech.

Alex was finding it difficult to take on the responsibility of being the family wizard, while her father implied that Justin would have been more responsible. In an effort to eliminate the parts of her that people didn’t like, she performed a spell to banish what she felt were the bad aspects of her personality, but accidentally split herself into two separate people: good Alex and bad Alex.

source: people.com