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Is Selena Gomez returning for the Wizards of Waverly Place revival?

Disney Channel is ordering a sequel series to the hit Wizards of Waverly Place! But will Selena Gomez reprise her role in the new series?

By Michael Weyer

Only Murders in the Building -- “The Beat Goes On” - Episode 302 -- Mabel, Oliver & Charles attend Ben’s lavish memorial full of fans and those with more dubious motives. As the actor’s sudden death is mourned, Oliver works to revive his shaky Broadway show. Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Will (Ryan Broussard), shown. (Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu)
Only Murders in the Building -- “The Beat Goes On” - Episode 302 -- Mabel, Oliver & Charles attend Ben’s lavish memorial full of fans and those with more dubious motives. As the actor’s sudden death is mourned, Oliver works to revive his shaky Broadway show. Mabel (Selena Gomez) and Will (Ryan Broussard), shown. (Photo by: Patrick Harbron/Hulu) /
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One of Disney Channel’s most popular series is coming back as Wizards of Waverly Place is getting a sequel show! Is Selena Gomez going to reprise her famous role in the revival? Find out here!

Premiering in 2007, Wizards of Waverly Place centered on the Russos, a seemingly normal family running a deli in New York City. In reality, they were wizards with trouble-making Alex (Selena Gomez) and rule-following brother Justin (David Henrie) trying to achieve full status as wizards along with quirky younger brother Max (Jake T. Austin). 

The series was a breakout role for Gomez and one of Disney Channel’s biggest hits of its era. It ran for four seasons, including a TV movie with tweens loving the mix of comedy, magic, special effects, and more. 

The show ended in 2012 after four seasons and 106 episodes, with the series finale being the most-watched Disney Channel original show of all time. The finale had Alex winning a competition to become the true family wizard, with Justin being named headmaster of the Wiz-Tech magical school while Max would inherit the family sub shop. 

There was a 2013 movie follow-up, The Wizards Return: Alex vs Alex, but nothing since. However, it looks like Disney Channel is going to change that. 

What’s the new Wizards of Waverly Place spin-off about?

Per Deadline, Disney Channel has ordered a pilot for a yet untitled sequel series, executive-produced by Henrie and Gomez. The plot will follow Justin, who’s retired as headmaster and given up his magical powers to settle down with a wife and kids. However, when a powerful young wizard shows up at his door, Justin has to reembrace the magical life (which his family knew nothing about) to save the Wizard World. 

Henrie shared the news on his Instagram page with a photo of the first script.

The big news is that Gomez (currently starring in the Hulu comedy Only Murders in the Building) is confirmed to make a cameo in the pilot episode as Alex. She shared the news on her Instagram stories page with a picture from the original series and the caption "we're back."

The supporting cast includes Janice LeAnn Brown as Billie, the aforementioned young wizard; Mimi Gianopulos as Giada, Justin’s wife; and Alkaio Thiele as Roman, Justin’s oldest son.  Henrie has also confirmed they're hoping to get more of the original actors on board.

Disney Channel has seen success with some sequel shows, such as Raven’s Home, following in the footsteps of That’s So Raven. It is only a pilot ordered but it’s likely to be picked up as Disney Channel would love to revive the magical success of Wizards of Waverly Place for a new generation of viewers. 

Wizards of Waverly Place Seasons 1-4 streaming on Disney+.

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