Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Creates A Hilarious Selena Gomez Paradox

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place brings back fan-favorite characters alongside new ones, delivering hilarious sequences of over-the-top humor, as well as a meta-joke about one of the franchise's biggest stars that creates a paradox. Wizards Beyond Waverly Place expands the Russo family tree from Wizards of Waverly Place with the introduction of Justin Russo's (David Henrie) wife and children, as well as the pre-teen wizard Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) he takes in at the request of his sister Alex (Selena Gomez). With some fantastic new spins on the classic series, the revival makes for a great return to this world.

The Wizards Beyond Waverly Place cast has some clever jokes that embrace the tone of the story while bringing in newer elements to appeal to a modern audience. It has been more than 10 years since Wizards of Waverly Place ended, but the new showrunners understand that love for the original adventures focusing on Alex Russo is key to the continuation's success. In one instance, Wizard Beyond Waverly Place takes a risk in acknowledging the real-world circumstances of the old series, hoping fans will appreciate the fourth-wall break.

Roman Russo Confirms Selena Gomez Exists In Wizards Beyond Waverly Place's Universe

Gomez Cameos As Alex In Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 1 — But The Character's Nephew Name Drops The Actress

Wizards of Waverly Place's old generation of three Russo siblings loom large over the new series; in the original, Gomez's Alex was positioned as the main character, making at least one appearance from her alongside Henrie fitting now. However, after Alex disappears following the first episode, Selena Gomez herself is referenced entirely separately. In episode 3, Billie is attending mortal school for the first time alongside Alex's nephew Roman (Alkaio Thiele). Billie is eager to make friends and sets her sights on a stylish peer, whom Roman says is so popular, Selena Gomez follows her on social media. Billie responds: "Never heard of this Gomez lady."

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It's an ironic moment when Alex is a major figure in Billie's life, having vouched for her and found her a home and teacher when everyone else gave up on the young wizard. However, it is also paradoxical for Gomez to seemingly exist in the same world as the character she plays. Furthermore, Gomez rose to fame because of her role as Alex in Wizards of Waverly Place. Allegedly, her nephews and protégé would not know of her in this world without the show because she would not be (as) famous without it.

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Alex Russo Is A Delightful Callback In A Story Primarily About Justin & His Kids

Alex and Justin's Wizards of Waverly Place dynamic is alive again in the first episode of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, but after this, Alex only participates in the story off-screen, occasionally taking a phone call with Justin. Behind the scenes, Henrie said that Alex's minimal appearance in the series is in service of allowing the new cast and story to be the focus:

"There's a whole new generation of kids that have no idea what 'Wizards of Waverly Place' is [...] So for us, that was always kind of the most important objective. And then it really is more contingent on Selena's schedule and when we could fit things in" (via TheWrap ).

A lot of Alex's old characterization has less of a place in the plot when Billie is fulfilling this narrative role. However, the show still hugely benefits from Gomez naturally returning to the character that made her famous.

Meanwhile, Justin is the perfect replacement for his dad — as the whole Wizards Beyond Waverly Place cast replaces someone from the original. Justin is inherently a less protagonist-like character and works well as the wise adult counterpart to the new, younger cast. Wizards Beyond Waverly Places features Alex (and Selena Gomez) at only certain, memorable moments to allude to what kicked off this story, but ultimately let Billie, Roman, and Milo (Max Matenko) take it from there.

Source: TheWrap

Wizards Beyond Waverly Place follows adult Justin Russo, who leads a normal life until his sister Alex asks for help with a young wizard-in-training. Justin must revive his magical skills to mentor the trainee while balancing his family life and safeguarding the Wizard World's future.

Character(s) Justin Russo , Billie , Roman Russo , Milo Russo , Winter , Giada Russo , Alex Russo

Release Date October 29, 2024

Seasons 1