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 campy 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 Russian family tree of Wizards of Waverly Place with the introduction of Justin Russo’s (David Henrie) wife and children, as well as the pre-teen witch Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown) who he takes in at the request of his sister Alex (Selena Gomez). With some fantastic new additions to the classic series, the revival represents a major return to this world.

THE Wizards Beyond Waverly Place The 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 has ended, but the new producers understand that a love of the original Alex Russo-focused adventures is key to the sequel’s success. In one case, Wizard Beyond Waverly Place runs the risk of acknowledging the real-world circumstances of the old series, hoping fans will appreciate breaking the fourth wall.

Roman Russo confirms that Selena Gomez exists in the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place universe

Gomez Cameos as Alex in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Season 1 – But Character’s Nephew’s Name Eliminates Actress

Wizards of Waverly Placethe old generation of three Russo brothers has great importance in the new series; In the original, Gomez’s Alex was positioned as the main character, making at least one appearance of her alongside Henrie now. However, after Alex disappears after the first episode, Selena Gomez herself is referenced entirely separately. In episode 3, Billie attends the mortal school for the first time alongside Alex’s nephew, Roman (Alkaio Thiele). Billie is eager to make friends and has her eye on a stylish colleague, who Roman says is so popular that Selena Gomez follows her on social media. Billie responds: “I’ve never heard of this lady Gomez.“

It’s an ironic moment when Alex is an important figure in Billie’s life, having vouched for her and found her a home and a teacher when everyone gave up on the young wizard. However, it’s also paradoxical that Gomez seemingly exists in the same world as the character she plays. Furthermore, Gomez gained fame for her role as Alex in Wizards of Waverly Place. Supposedly, her nephews and protégés wouldn’t know her in this world without the show because she wouldn’t be (as) famous without it.

Why Selena Gomez barely appears in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place

Alex Russo is a charming callback in a story mostly about Justin and his kids

Alex and Justin Wizards of Waverly Place dynamic is alive again in the first episode of Wizards Beyond Waverly Placebut After that, 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 serves to allow the new cast and story to be the focus:

“There’s a whole new generation of kids who have no idea what ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’ is […] So for us, that has always been the most important goal. And so it really depends more on Selena’s schedule and when we could fit things in.” (via The wrap).

Many of Alex’s old characterizations have less of a place in the plot when Billie is fulfilling this narrative role. However, the series still benefits greatly from Gomez’s natural return to the character that made her famous.

Meanwhile, Justin is the perfect replacement for his father – like everyone else. Wizards Beyond Waverly Place cast replaces someone from the original. Justin is inherently a less protagonistic character and works well as the wise adult counterpart to the new, younger cast. Wizards Beyond Waverly Places features Alex (and Selena Gomez) in just a few memorable moments to allude to what started this story, but ultimately let Billie, Roman, and Milo (Max Matenko) take it from there.

Source: The wrap