Selena Gomez REUNITES with Wizards Of Waverly Place co-stars… one week after sequel to beloved Disney Channel series was announced

Selena Gomez had a mini reunion with some of her Wizards Of Waverly Place co-stars in new Instagram photos – just one week after a sequel to the hit Disney series was announced.

The Only Murders In The Building actress, 31 – who recently got candid about her body image – was joined by David Henrie, David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrera in the fun snaps.

In the show – which aired from 2007 through 2012 – Henrie notably played the older brother of Selena’s character, Alex Russo, while David and Maria portrayed their parents.

Gomez flashed a cheerful smile while pausing for a group photo that was uploaded to both Henrie and DeLuise’s main Instagram page with the caption, ‘The Russos ❤️coming back #wizardsofwaverlyplace @wizardspod.’

Maria also shared a similar snap to her own social media account and excitedly gushed, ‘You guys are gonna LOVE the new Wizards show!’

In the pictures, the Single Soon hitmaker was stylishly casual wearing a tan-colored, turtleneck sweater as well as a pair of dark pants.

She layered the look with a light brown, teddy bear coat to help her stay warm in the cooler temperatures.

Her dark locks were parted in the middle, and effortlessly flowed down past her shoulders in elegant waves, easily revealing a pair of flashy, gold earrings.

Selena’s other castmates additionally opted for stylish comfort as they had a blast during the special reunion.

Earlier last week, it was announced that Disney Branded Television had ordered a pilot for a sequel to the beloved Disney series, reported Deadline.

Gomez is slated to guest star in the pilot, while Henrie will be a series regular in the show, reprising his role of Justin Russo. New cast members that are also involved in the project include Janice LeAnn Brown, Alkaio Thiele and Mimi Gianopulos.

The sequel will follow David’s character as an adult who no longer utilizes his powers and has a wife and two children of his own.

However, when a young wizard named Billy comes into his life, Justin ‘must embrace his past to ensure the future of the Wizard World,’ per an official synopsis.

Wizards Of Waverly Place aired for a total of four season on the Disney channel from 2007 through 2012.

In 2009, a made-for-TV film called Wizards Of Waverly Place: The Movie was released, and eventually won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children’s Program the following year.

One year after the show had come to an end, the cast came together for a television special in 2013 called, The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex.

Earlier last year in 2023, Selena notably reflected on her time working on the Disney channel series while appearing on the Wizards Of Waverly Pod podcast hosted by David DeLuise and Jennifer Stone.

‘I can’t imagine it any other way,’ she stated while remembering shooting the show. ‘I remember being nervous, but as long as David [DeLuise] was there, I was like, “Okay, I’m good.”‘

‘At the beginning, I was like, “Well, I just don’t want a new family.” I felt like I bonded with everyone. Little did I know that I ended up with everyone I needed to be in my life. I think I felt safe, and that’s a really hard thing for me to feel.’

She also added that, ‘You guys genuinely loved me, and that’s all I could have asked for, the unconditional trust and bond we had, I miss so much.’

While on the series, Gomez stated, ‘I felt like I was the happiest I had been my whole life, and I don’t want that to be a sad thought, because I’m really grateful and happy, but it was definitely the happiest times for me.’

‘I recognize that obviously it’s because I have this different attention on me that I just didn’t have then, and that was a really pure time, and I miss that.’

Other stars that had starred in the original series included Jake T. Austin – who played Max Russo – as well as Jennifer Stone who portrayed Selena’s friend.

Dan Benson had also taken on a role in the show, and played the character of Zeke Beakerman.

However, he suspects he was not asked to participate in the Wizards of Waverly Place reboot with Selena Gomez, due to his career in the adult entertainment industry.

While explaining that he finds it ‘super exciting that the fans get to’ relive a part of their childhood again, the former Disney Channel star admitted he is ‘really sad’ that he most likely will not be able to reprise his role on the popular teen sitcom.

‘I know for a fact that I will definitely not be a part of it,’ he told TMZ. ‘That’s all on my, I totally get it. I made choices.’

The actor, who launched his X-rated OnlyFans account in July, continued, ‘I put the chance of bringing back the character I played away when I decided to go on this path of being an adult content creator.’

‘I’m very conflicted. I’m super happy, but also, like, dang it. It’s a mix of emotions for me right now,’ Benson said, before explaining he believes doing porn prevents him from being involved in the revival series.

Benson also expressed that he hopes the show ‘doesn’t suck’ and still manages to capture the ‘magical years we had together creating this show’ in the past.

Last week, Benson also vented his frustration at the inconvenient timing of the Wizards Of Waverly Place’s reboot.

‘Are you kidding me? I mean, that’s hype! But oh boy, what have I done…’ he wrote on Instagram.

‘I waited like 13 years and now, “ok, here we go, let’s fire it up. Dan becomes a porn star – let’s reboot Wizards again.”‘

One of Benson’s primary concerns was what would happen to his character, seemingly worried that his explicit career change had disgraced Zeke.

He said in jest: ‘What do they do with Zeke’s character? Just act like he doesn’t exist? Do they recast him? Oh my God is there going to be someone else playing him? No, no…’

Along with making an appearance in the anticipated sequel, Selena has been filtering through a busy schedule during 2024 thus far.

The Rare Beauty founder – who is currently dating Benny Blanco – stunned at the 75th Emmy Awards earlier this month, with the record producer also joining her.

Gomez exuded confidence wearing a strapless, semi-sheer dress that contained sparkling, dark red patterns throughout the fabric.

Her series, Only Murders In The Building, had been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series – which eventually went to The Bear.