Selena Gomez, David Henrie Set for ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ Revival at Disney
Selena Gomez and David Henrie are returning to Waverly Place.
Disney Channel is looking at a revival of its comedy Wizards of Waverly Place, ordering a pilot for an updated take on the 2007-12 series. Gomez and Henrie will be executive producers of the project, with Henrie also attached as a series regular. Gomez will make a guest appearance in the pilot.
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Henrie will play the grown-up Justin Russo, who has abandoned his wizarding powers for an everyday, magic-free life with his family. That’s upended when a young wizard (Janice LeAnn Brown of Disney’s Just Roll With It) finds him and asks him for help in both training and ensuring the future of the wizard world. Gomez will appear in the pilot as Alex Russo, Justin’s sister.
Mimi Gianopulos (Rutherford Falls) and Alkaio Thiele have also been cast in the pilot, playing Justin’s wife, Giada, and elder son, Roman.
Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas (Raven’s Home) are writing the pilot and will executive produce with Gomez, Henrie, former Disney Branded Television head Gary Marsh and director Andy Fickman.
Wizards of Waverly Place helped launch Gomez’s career and was part of the heyday of Disney Channel sitcoms, along with Hannah Montana, Lizzie McGuire, That’s So Raven and other shows. The cable channel’s live-action comedy output has slowed some in recent years, however; the long-running Bunk’d is set to end this year, leaving just Raven’s Home, The Villains of Valley View and Pretty Freekin’ Scary.
Deadline first reported the news.
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