After 12 long years, Wizards of Waverly Place has finally returned to viewers through the magical sequel, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. This comeback not only brings fans a fresh story but also delights them with fascinating details about the fashion and special effects that create this magical world. The show follows a grown-up Justin Russo (David Henrie) living with his family on Staten Island, and Alex Russo’s (Selena Gomez) return to help Justin train a young wizard, Billie (Janice LeAnn Brown), adds even more excitement.
Here's ads banner inside a post
The Return of the Original Cast
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place captivates not only with its new storyline but also with the return of familiar faces from the original cast. David Henrie and Selena Gomez not only appear on-screen but also serve as executive producers, contributing their creative vision for this sequel. Director Jody Hahn, who joined the series during its second season, returns as well. She shares that working with both the original and new cast feels “like coming back to family.”
Magic and Fashion: A Unique Combination
Here's ads banner inside a post
The magic in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place goes beyond scenes and effects; it’s also reflected in the characters’ costumes. Gelareh Medge, the costume supervisor, collaborated with costume designer Cameron Dale to recreate each character’s style while adding modern touches.
Selena Gomez, now a major star with an impressive music and business career, wanted her wardrobe to remain true to her character, Alex Russo. Medge shared: “When working with Selena, we thought we would need high-end, designer pieces, but she wanted her costumes to fit Alex’s character. This choice makes Alex relatable and authentic for the audience.”
Meanwhile, Justin’s style received an upgrade with 1960s-inspired preppy shirts, preserving his character’s essence. For new characters like Roman and Milo, the design team crafted individual looks: Milo sports a more relaxed, athletic look, while Roman’s style features polo and Oxford shirts, reflecting his studious personality.
Here's ads banner inside a post
Crafting Billie’s Look: A Unique Challenge
Billie, portrayed by Janice LeAnn Brown, is a mysterious character with immense power, making her costume design a delicate balance. As a young wizard with a destiny tied to the magical world, Billie’s look needed to convey both her youthfulness and her connection to the mystical. Medge explained: “We didn’t want her to look too dark, as she’s still youthful, but not overly colorful either to maintain her wizardly vibe.”
After multiple fittings, the team found the right style for Billie, blending the mortal and magical worlds seamlessly. Billie’s look not only reflects her powers but also her connection to family and the values of both worlds.
Magic and Special Effects: Reviving the Magical World
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place also brings viewers back to the enchanting visual effects that defined the original series. Justin Krauss, the special effects artist, shared that blending practical effects with CGI brought a unique charm to the series. “We still work the way we did back then: combining real-world effects with visual elements to create vivid magical scenes. It not only feels authentic but also provides a rich viewing experience.”
Krauss and his team work to make sure the effects interact naturally with the actors and physical surroundings, enhancing the realism of each scene. “Technology has come a long way, but our approach remains focused on making everything feel as though it really exists in the world,” Krauss explained.
The Comeback of a Legendary Series
The return of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is not just a continuation of a story but a journey to revive the values and style that made the original series so captivating. Despite facing challenges in character design and magical scene-building, the production team has put in relentless effort to deliver a quality product for fans.
The mix of familiar faces and new talent has created an atmosphere of excitement and emotion on set. With carefully designed costumes and meticulously crafted special effects, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place not only preserves the identity of the original series but also opens up an exciting new chapter in the world of magic.
