The recent reboot of the beloved Disney series, *Wizards of Waverly Place*, titled *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place*, has sparked both excitement and criticism among fans. While the new series brings back some familiar faces, it has also faced scrutiny for the absence of several original characters. ### The Return of Justin Russo At the heart of *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place* is David Henrie, reprising his role as Justin Russo. Now a father and the principal of Greenwald Middle School, Justin is once again guiding young wizards, this time including Billie, a rebellious and gifted young wizard played by Janice LeAnn Brown. ### Guest Appearances and Absences Selena Gomez, who played Alex Russo in the original series, has made guest appearances in the new show, along with David DeLuise as Jerry Russo and hints of future appearances by Jake T. Austin as Max Russo and Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo. However, the absence of Jennifer Stone's character Harper Finkle has been notable and has drawn criticism from fans. ### Showrunners' Defense Showrunners Jed Elinoff and Scott Thomas have addressed the criticism, explaining that the first season is focused on establishing the new characters and their stories. They emphasized the need to be strategic about when and how to include cameos from the original cast to avoid feeling forced or like mere fan service. The creators hope to bring back more original characters in future episodes and seasons, ensuring that these appearances align with the narrative and do not disrupt the flow of the new storylines. ### New Characters and Dynamics The new series introduces several new characters, including Roman and Milo Russo, Justin's sons, played by Alkaio Thiele and Max Matenko, respectively. Taylor Cora's character Winter serves as a mortal best friend to Billie, echoing the dynamic between Alex and Harper in the original series. Mimi Gianopulos plays Giada Russo, Justin's mortal wife and an investigative reporter for WOWP News. In summary, while *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place* has been praised for its continuation of the original series' spirit, it has also faced criticism for the limited inclusion of original characters. However, the showrunners are committed to balancing the old with the new, promising more familiar faces in the future. ### A Note on Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Though the reboot of *Wizards of Waverly Place* does not involve Justin Bieber, it is interesting to note that the personal lives of celebrities like Selena Gomez, who has moved on from her past relationship with Justin Bieber, continue to attract public interest. Selena Gomez's return to the *Wizards* franchise is a welcome one for fans, even as she navigates her career and personal life post-Bieber. However, the focus of *Wizards Beyond Waverly Place* remains firmly on the magical adventures and family dynamics of the Russo family, rather than celebrity gossip or personal relationships.