David Henrie, famed for his role as Justin Russo in Disney Channel’s ‘Wizards of Waverly Place,’ has hinted at an emotional reunion with co-star Selena Gomez in the upcoming revival of the series.
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Henrie discussed the highly anticipated sequel series on Disney+, where he returns as Justin Russo, now navigating life as a mortal alongside his family. The storyline evolves when Alex Russo (portrayed by Selena Gomez) introduces a young wizard named Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) into Justin’s world, leading him to mentor the aspiring wizard.
Reflecting on reuniting with Gomez after over a decade since the original series concluded, Henrie expressed his excitement and admiration, stating, “It was awesome. We didn’t want it to end. It was great. She’s so good. She has such a quick wit that’s only gotten stronger.”
Henrie also teased poignant scenes in the revival that he believes will deeply resonate with fans of the original series. “We have a couple of scenes that I think will choke up the original fan of the original show, and they’re really touching, and they went really well. So, I’m excited for you to see it,” he shared in the interview obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.
While Jake T. Austin, who portrayed their onscreen brother Max, may not be returning for the sequel series, Maria Canals-Barrera and David DeLuise will reprise their roles as Russo parents Theresa and Jerry, respectively.
Filming for the revival series began in April under the direction of Andy Fickman, who helmed the pilot episode and will direct multiple episodes of the series. The show is set to debut later this year on both Disney Channel and Disney+, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
Henrie emphasized the revival’s commitment to preserving the essence of the original series, aiming to capture its themes, values, and comedic elements. He highlighted new elements in the storyline, particularly exploring Justin’s life without magical powers, teasing intriguing developments from the pilot episode onward.
Joining Henrie and Gomez in the revival is a fresh cast, including Max Matenko as Justin’s youngest son Milo, Alkaio Thiele as his oldest son Roman, and Mimi Gianopulos as his wife Giada. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, known for their work on “Raven’s Home,” have written the pilot episode and serve as executive producers alongside Selena Gomez, David Henrie, and Gary Marsh.
