Exclusive: David Henrie Chats Returning To The Wizards Universe & A New Generation In Wizards Beyond Waverly Place
The Russo Family is set to return in the new Disney Channel series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. Star and producer of the new series, David Henrie, sat down with BB and fellow press members to chat about the return of Wizards and introducing a new generation to the hit franchise.
On what he was excited to explore in this new series: “My focus was really a little bigger than just something character-focused. I was really trying to recreate something that we had in the old show for a whole new generation. How can we make a show that can give a big warm hug to the original fan, but at the same time make that hug also an invitation to recreate an experience they might’ve had when they were a kid watching the show with one of their parents? Hopefully the original fan watching will grab one of their kids or a niece or a nephew or a little cousin or someone they’re babysitting and recreate that special experience. If they want to watch it on their own, that’s totally fine too, but I really was focused on trying to give that person a big old hug, but also invite in a whole new generation to experience the magic and the love of, uh, the Russo family in a whole new way.”
On what it was like to return as Justin Russo after all of these years: “It was insanely difficult and ultimately easy, all at the same time. The pressure was certainly there because there’s a lot of expectation, and when the announcement came out that we were doing this, the internet stopped working for a quick moment. There’s a lot of people with a lot of opinions and a lot of anticipation, so that pressure was certainly weighing down on me. But the actual doing of it was really easy. It wasn’t like a sport you hadn’t played in 13 years and it’s really hard to pick back up. It was just there, and in fact I remember the first scene I had with Selena where it was Justin and Alex for the first time in 13 years and it was like not a moment was missed. It was like we had been doing it ever since the show ended. The chemistry was there, the banter, the timing, it was all right there. So it really was really easy at the same time, but also really hard. But we’ve taken very seriously the development of the show, so we really are excited for original fans and new fans to have this experience.”
On what advice he had given to the new generation of Wizards: “My advice was less about special effects and just more about trying to keep a good culture in place ’cause we had a very good culture on the original show. And a lot of that has to do with perspective, and the best cultures I’ve seen in my 26 years in this business that really have a servant leadership model where first and foremost we realize that we’re here to serve the audience, that there are kids out there who might be having a rough day, that are sitting on their couch and could really use some heart and humor. So for me, always keeping that perspective is a humbling thing and allows me to get out of my own head, put my own ego aside, and focus on using my talents to do something good. That I think, has been at the heart of all the best cultures I’ve seen on all shows, not just Wizards, but on all shows and movies that I’ve done. So I talk a lot about that with the kids and we all discuss that and have different takes on that and we’ll bring different quotes to the table at times, positive quotes, and keeping that spirit really does keep us united and keep us on the same page when it comes to why we’re all here and what our goals are. And in a way, that’s the best way to serve yourself, right? When you’re helping others, you’re really helping yourself.”
On whether there are particular stories or characters from the original series they would like to revisit: “I would love everyone to come back from the original show. For me, though, it’s about how they come back and making it meaningful. The worst thing we could do is make it feel cheap when someone from the original show comes back, so it’s really about how that character interacts with the current story that we’re trying to tell. Selena and I especially over the years have taken a very close look at what made that original show special and the different things that we did that led us to- to winning Emmys. And we’ve had a very careful eye in trying to carry a lot of the spirit of that forward into this now show. I want the original fan to feel like they’ve been given a big warm hug and also an invitation to maybe bring a younger person in their life into watching the show with them and kind of recreating that experience they might’ve had with a parent when they were younger. And if they want to watch it on their own, fine, they’ll still get the big warm hug. But, we are hoping to recreate special moments that they had as a kid with their parent with this whole new show and a co-viewing experience.”
On re-creating the family dynamic that made the original series brilliant: “Mimi’s [Gianopulos] great, and I’m Italian, so we always felt when we met, ‘Oh, you know, it’s like same corporation, different divisions.’ We felt like we’re all in the same family. For Mimi in particular as my wife in the show, we got along immediately. My wife and her get along, I get along with her husband, we instantly clicked, and that’s an important part of the family, that kind of sets the tone for everything. Even in the audition process I remember feeling more comfortable with Mimi than anyone else and you can’t put that to words”
On whether being an adult changed his perspective on playing Justin: “It’s easy for me to reprise this role because I kind of am Justin in real life, like I’m also a father, I also have kids, I care about rules, respect, discipline, order, hard work, doing things well. It’s been an easy. I am Justin Russo. Just when I play him, it’s just like on 10 cups of coffee, that’s kind of the thing. It’s just a bigger energy. Justin has always been meant for fatherhood. He’s always taken life seriously, he’s always loved teaching, he’s loved helping others, so I think he was always meant for fatherhood. I think his dream was always to be a husband and a father. Except now in this new season, there’s been some things that’ve happened in the past, there’s some tragic moments in his career that have made this first season for him what I call the rebirth. So he’s rediscovering past of his past that he missed. So this first season is a wonderful way for his family to learn about him and for him to come clean with his family about who he really is.”
On what does it mean to shepherd in the next generation of this story: “Meaningful is the word. It’s such a treat to get to watch these kids and to get to watch them go through what I went through. Before the show comes out, I’m like ‘You guys have no idea what’s about to happen.’ It’s fun to watch them get ready for this moment. For me particularly, I take very seriously my dual role as I see it in my head to be a shepherd of the spirit of the original show, but also the culture on set and the atmosphere I seek to create. I’ve been doing this for 26 years now. I’ve seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of this business, and I really seek to bring forward all the best experiences that I’ve had to try to create the most positive culture on set that allows for everyone’s success. And by the grace of God, it’s been going really well. I’ve seen all of these young actors continue to mature and take ownership over their characters. The talent level was already very high coming in. But now I’m really seeing everyone settle into their characters and make it their own, and that has been just such a joy to get to witness now from a different position kind of as a producer because I remember doing it as a kid. You’re kind of just in it and you’re doing it and you’re so focused on what you’re doing that you don’t see the growth yourself. But I get to see it now from this perspective and that is such a- such a joy to witness and continue to help encourage in all these young actors.”
On building chemistry: “It was really organic. We saw a lot of kids for every role. We saw lots and lots and lots of kids. But it was really only these guys. It’s kind of hard to put into words, but when it got down to it and I was acting with the kids, there really were no other choices. There was a chemistry and an organic feeling that everyone agreed to. Not just me, but all of our executives and my partners, we all felt like ‘Yeah, it’s just this person.’ There really wasn’t any other debate. And then I got to meet everyone’s families, and everyone’s families are so wonderful and I’m a big family guy. My mom and dad come to set, my kids come to set, my wife comes to set, everyone’s parents are on set. I make a conscious effort to treat them like family because they kind of feel like family. We are here for each other and we’re here to have each other’s back and empower one another. It’s been something that has been conscious, but also very organic and easy at the same time when you’re working with such talented and caring people.”
Music City Drive-In: And what about you?
On working with Disney alumni, such as Raven-Symoné and Danielle Fishel on the new season: “Getting to work with those two was great. I had a relationship with Raven for many years and I did That’s So Raven with her when I was a kid, so I had known her. I’d never met Danielle before and I loved her character Topanga growing up, so that was a special one for me. Getting to see her surpass my already high expectations was so lovely. She really does have a class, have a style, and also, she brings a lot to the table as an actor as well. So getting to work with an actor/director like that was everything you hope for because she’s empowering, she’s caring, she’s sensitive, she knows what she’s doing, and she’d get in there with you as an actor and kind of block things with you or hold props or kind of work it out in her head, so you really feel like you’re working with a peer. I was so happy to get to work with her and to have her surpass my high expectations.”
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place premieres today, October 29, on Disney Channel.
*This interview has been edited for length and clarity
Photo Credit: Disney/Maarten de Boer