'Wizards Of Waverly Place' Sequel Series Officially Greenlit At Disney Channel
'Wizards Of Waverly Place' Sequel Series Officially Greenlit At Disney Channel
It’s all been spelled out, set to premiere within the year
There’s magic being made at Disney Branded Television again. The sequel series for Wizards of Waverly Place has been greenlit for Disney Channel and Disney+.
Production on the new series, which is still working under the title of Wizards, begins in April in Los Angeles. As reported in January at the announcement of the pilot, the series will star and be executive produced by David Henrie, who reprises his role as Justin Russo. Selena Gomez, who played sister Alex Russo, will executive produce and at the very least guest star in the pilot. It has been written and executive produced by Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas who are coming off of Raven’s Home, another Disney Channel sequel series, and will continue to serve those roles in the full series with Gary Marsh. Andy Fickman who directed and executive produced the pilot will be back to direct multiple episodes.
Like the original series kicked off with a crazy ten-minute sale, the new series kicks off with a crazy invocation of the ten-minute retirement trope. Justin, last seen accepting Professor Crumbs’s succession plan to become WizTech headmaster has chosen to leave wizarding behind after a mysterious incident at the school and lead a normal, mortal life with his family, Giada, played by Mimi Gianopulos, Roman, played Spidey and His Amazing Friends’s Alkaio Thiele and Milo, played by Max Matenko. It turns out Billie, played by Janice LeAnn Brown, does not arrive at his doorstep seeking help alone, as it’s Alex who brings her. Justin must dust off his wizarding skills to mentor again and juggle his everyday responsibilities while ensuring the future for the Wizard World. Matenko’s casting was not known at the time of the pilot announcement.
Gary Marsh is the former Disney Branded Television President and Chief Creative Officer who ascended to the position in 2001 after 13 years at the company, oversaw the channel’s entire cable-dominating era that Wizards was a part of and well after it. He left the position at the end of 2021 to launch his own Disney-backed production company that would develop shows like this. He’s also credited with getting Gomez on the network following her discovery at an open casting call in Dallas, which had led to The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana, and attempted spinoffs like What’s Stevie Thinking?/Stevie Sanchez and Arwin!.
“Wizards of Waverly Place captivated hearts with its spellbinding adventures and big laughs, creating unforgettable memories for kids and families everywhere,” Ayo Davis, who is president of Disney Branded Television, said in a statement. “We can’t wait to step back into the magical world of Wizards, inviting longtime fans and a new generation to experience the enchantment alongside Selena, David, and our incredible cast and crew.”
Now that the series has something of a stable future, expect alums of the original 2007-2012 series, like David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrera as parents Jerry and Theresa and Jake T. Austin as brother Max to have plenty of real estate for return appearances. So when might we expect the series to premiere? All signs are pointing to by the end of the year, including Henrie and the network who have stated the series is coming this fall. The original series was a Monstober premiere, so the new may very well head that way too, though it’s been Calling All The Monsters (and Hallowstream on Disney+) lately. The network also shared a first look, a then-and-now of Alex finding comfort on her brother’s shoulders.
Source: Deadline