It is 2026, and if you haven’t checked in on the Russo family lately, things look a lot different than the days of cheap laugh tracks and plastic wands. For a long time, if you searched for david wizards of waverly place, you’d mostly find nostalgia-bait or "where are they now" listicles. But that changed when David Henrie stopped just talking about a comeback and actually built one.
Honestly, it’s kinda wild to think that Henrie is now 36. He’s gone from the high-strung teen wizard Justin Russo to an executive producer and the literal patriarch of a new era. We’re currently deep into the second season of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, and the vibe is surprisingly grounded for a show about magic.
The Long Road Back to Waverly Place
David Henrie didn't just stumble back onto a Disney set because he needed a paycheck. For years, he was actually the one hesitant to return. There were rumors for a long time—especially around 2023—that he and Selena Gomez were constantly grabbing dinner and plotting something. It turned out the "something" was a complete reimagining of the franchise.
You’ve gotta remember that when the original show ended, Justin was the "winner" who wasn't actually the winner. He became the Headmaster of WizTech, but he was always the rule-follower. In the new series, we find out he actually gave up his powers to live a normal human life. It’s a massive pivot from the character who spent four seasons obsessing over being the best wizard in the room.
What Actually Happened to Justin Russo?
In the current timeline, Justin is a husband and a father to two sons, Roman and Milo. He’s working as a middle school vice principal. It’s poetic, really. He went from being the smartest kid in the class to the guy in charge of the whole school, but without any magic to help him fix the leaky faucets or the rowdy hallways.
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The catalyst for the new show was Alex Russo (Selena Gomez) showing up at his door with a young, rebellious wizard named Billie. It forced Justin out of "wizard retirement."
Why David Henrie is the Real Force Behind the Scenes
A lot of people don’t realize how much control Henrie has over this project. He isn't just "David from Wizards" anymore. He’s a director and a writer. He actually directed the Christmas episode for Season 2, which just aired, and he’s been vocal about wanting the show to feel like a "hug" to the original fans while still being its own thing.
- Executive Producer Role: He and Selena Gomez are co-executive producers.
- Directorial Growth: He spent the years between the original show and the reboot directing films like This Is the Year and Monster Summer (starring Mel Gibson, of all people).
- Mentorship: He’s famously protective of the new kids on set, Alkaio Thiele and Max Matenko, often drawing on his own experience of growing up in the Disney machine to help them navigate fame.
The "Other" David: Jerry Russo’s Legacy
When people talk about david wizards of waverly place, there’s occasionally a bit of confusion because of David DeLuise. DeLuise played the iconic dad, Jerry Russo. While he’s not a series regular in the new show, he’s made some pretty emotional guest appearances.
In Season 1, Episode 7, titled "We're Gonna Need a Bigger Float," we finally got to see Jerry back on screen. It was a "passing of the torch" moment. Jerry was the original "wizard who gave up his powers for love," and seeing him give advice to Justin—who did the exact same thing—felt like the closure fans didn't know they needed.
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Is the Rest of the Family Coming Back?
This is the big question everyone is asking in 2026. We’ve seen Alex. We’ve seen Jerry. But where is Max? Or Theresa?
The showrunners, Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas, have been pretty honest about this. They don't want to just do "fan service." They want the returns to matter. We know that Maria Canals-Barrera (Theresa) has reunited with the cast off-camera, and Jake T. Austin (Max) has expressed interest in returning, but as of right now, Max is still busy running the Waverly Sub Station somewhere in the background of the universe.
The Evolution of the Family Wizard Competition
One of the coolest things about the current season is how it recontextualizes the Family Wizard Competition. Back in the day, it was a source of massive stress and sibling rivalry. Now, Justin is the one training three young wizards—his sons and Billie—for a future competition.
It’s less about who is the "best" and more about the "mysterious new threat" that’s been looming over Season 2. There’s a plotline involving a character named Lord Morsus and a "Gossip Stone" (played by Harvey Guillén) that suggests the stakes are much higher than just keeping your powers.
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Actionable Insights for Fans and Rewatchers
If you’re looking to dive back into the world of david wizards of waverly place, here is how you should actually approach it to get the most out of the lore:
- Watch the "Alex vs. Alex" Special Again: It’s often forgotten, but it’s the bridge between the old Justin and the new one.
- Look for the Directorial Style: If you watch the episodes Henrie directed, you’ll notice they have a slightly more cinematic, "coming-of-age" feel compared to the standard sitcom episodes.
- The Podcast Connection: David DeLuise and Jennifer Stone (Harper) have a podcast called Wizards of Waverly Pod. If you want the real, unvarnished stories about what happened on the original set, that’s your best source.
- Check the Credits: Pay attention to when Henrie’s name pops up as a writer. He’s been involved in the scripts since he was 20 years old.
The reality is that David Henrie has successfully pulled off one of the hardest tricks in Hollywood: reviving a "dead" Disney property without it feeling like a hollow cash grab. By focusing on the "found family" aspect and the reality of growing up, he’s made Justin Russo relevant for a whole new generation.
To stay caught up with the latest episodes and casting news for the upcoming season finale, make sure you're monitoring the official Disney+ release schedule, as they’ve been known to drop surprise "shorts" and behind-the-scenes content featuring the original cast.
Next Steps for You:
If you want to see exactly how much the character has changed, I can compare the specific "Wizard Rules" from the original series to the new regulations Justin has to follow as a mentor in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.