David Henrie recently discussed the upcoming Wizards of Waverly Place revival with Us Weekly, revealing that the onscreen reunion with Selena Gomez was a special experience for both fans and the cast. The new series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, will see Gomez reprising her role as Alex Russo and will pick up with Henrie’s character, Justin Russo, years after the original series ended. Henrie shared that filming with Gomez felt like they hadn’t missed a beat, and they have a couple of scenes that will touch the hearts of the original show’s fans.
Fans of the original series can also expect to see other familiar faces, including David DeLuise as Jerry Russo, Alex and Justin’s father. Henrie expressed his joy at working with his TV dad again and hopes to have more original cast cameos throughout the show. The new series will also introduce a new cast of characters, including Justin’s sons, his wife Giada, and a young wizard named Billie who seeks out Justin’s help in saving the Wizard World.
Henrie shared that the new cast is incredibly talented and his goal is to recreate the heart of the original show so that both new and old fans will feel the same connection to the themes, values, and world of Wizards of Waverly Place. The actor is excited for younger audiences who may not have seen the original series to tune in and experience the magic of the show. Justin’s role as a father in the new series mirrors Henrie’s own life as a father of three, and the show will explore some big questions and backstories in the first few episodes.
One of the main questions in the new series will be how Justin came to lose his powers, as the original show ended with him becoming the Headmaster at the magical school WizTech. Henrie hinted that there may have been some resistance to giving up his powers, and viewers will have to watch the pilot and subsequent episodes to uncover the full story. Outside of filming, Henrie is also a “playfluencer” for his kids through his partnership with Learning Resources, a children’s toy company that creates educational toys to help kids develop various skills.
Henrie emphasized the importance of play in children’s development, stating that it is a valuable teaching opportunity to influence children in positive ways socially and emotionally. Through play, Henrie’s kids have begun to showcase their own acting skills by engaging in imaginative storytelling with him. He incorporates themes of values and challenges into their play to provide direction and shape to their interactions, allowing for fun learning opportunities for both the children and himself. Overall, Henrie is excited about the Wizards of Waverly Place revival and the opportunity to continue spreading positive messages through his work on and off-screen.
