Disney Channel Renews "Wizards of Waverly Place" for a Fourth Season + Second Movie

[Bryan]

Disney Channel has renewed Wizards of Waverly Place for a 4th season. Development on a second TV movie is also in the works.

Production on the new season begins in August.

View the full press release from Disney. (http://www.nickandmore.com/2010/06/03/disney-channel-renews-wizards-of-waverly-place-for-a-fourth-season/)

[NewcomerDC]

Well it's official. While some of the characters annoy me to no end with little to no change in character development (i.e. In the series, Alex have performed nice gestures such as, in one episode, promoting the Arts when Mr. Laratate thought about getting rid of Art Class and reverting back to being a self-obsessed, sometimes lazy jerk that we're supposed to love because she's a model for young girls), I think that the Curse of the 4th Season is upon us. The show could decrease in quality just like That's So Raven in its fourth season (i.e. Raven and Eddie getting together with no hints of them being a couple in previous seasons, Chelsea being more of a cute annoyance with her increasing stupidity and the constant bashing upon the viewers' heads about being green and vegan). I think, to some people, Phineas and Ferb, is a show more deserving to have four seasons and more as it's now becoming the most popular animated series on Disney Channel despite all of its episodes being shown over and over and over again.

In a weird twist of events, after Alex made the wish of her never making the wish that made her parents forget who they were and never going on the adventure to find the Stone of Dreams with Justin, I would had ended the series right there since, to me, I thought that since Alex was a full-time wizard, or witch as I would call her, that going back in time wouldn't had made the Russos talk more about the Wizard Competition which I believe will, even though it's been one of the themes of the entire series, the MAIN objective in this upcoming season. Although we might have to wait until 2011, maybe this Thanksgiving and Christmas, to see what new allies and villains that will be conjured up by the Mouse House parodying characters from Ann Rice novels, The Vampire Diaries, Cirque De Freak, or from the American remake of Let the Right One In if the show reveals that there are more vampires coming to the series, more possible made-up creatures to add to the already "magical" world of New York City, Wizards of Waverly Place, hopefully, will have a satisfying ending especially if there's the option that the second TV movie is the series finale. I mean where can anyone take the Russos and Harper besides back to the S.S. Tipton or Wiz Tech among sites mentioned in the series? Also, if the mods allow us posters to do so, what are your ideas as to what you hope will come out of the 4th season (i.e. Mrs. Russo trying out her hand in magic, another battle between wizards who don't want to go through the Wizard Competition vs. those who still stand by the guidelines of the Wizard World, no more puns in anything with 'Wiz' added on to make them seem otherworldly, hints of Justin and Harper becoming a couple before series' end)

[OnePark]

I too want resolution. I hope the second movie works as the finale, with the Wizard competition. I specualte Max will win, as Justin and Alex could make it in their own right. Plus, they really have only been hilighting the competition between Justin and Alex and ignoring Max.

[NewcomerDC]

I too want resolution. I hope the second movie works as the finale, with the Wizard competition. I speculate that Max will win, as Justin and Alex could make it in their own right. Plus, they really have only been highlighting the competition between Justin and Alex and ignoring Max.
To be fair, I think Max doesn't care about the Competition. If you think about it, if he went full-time as a wizard, he probably end up using the family's magic to create a show in Las Vegas. Speaking of which, wouldn't it be interesting if the Russos could use magic while others were watching and just use "I'm a magician" as their excuse? I mean if some magicians can do public shows or even show off their tricks to crowds of people, why can't the Russos? For Alex and Justin, I suspect that they could give up their powers for love with mortals and realizing that life might be interesting without resorting to magic all the time. While this may not play with the upcoming season, even if no one had made mention of this, I thought this was a good idea that just came to me not too long ago. I think that the reason this show was made was because Disney couldn't live with themselves dealing with American Dragon: Jake Long that failed to captivate as many audiences as their live-action comedies that also used New York as the setting for all the magical creatures to reside besides the other areas around the world mentioned in the series. I know that it's a long shot but Disney could pay tribute to it or Gargoyles but that's nothing but fan fiction idealism. Through the show, we'll probably get hints of the kids graduating from high school which would be nice since Suite Life of Zack and Cody failed to do so with their titular characters ever since Suite Life on Deck came around.

[OnePark]

My belief in Max getting his powers stems from the previous generation. Kelbo(?) couldn't succeed without it, and Jerry could. Overall, I've enjoyed this series than any other live-action show on Disney, and I'm glad it's continuig. I just want some conclusion.

[Lavenderpaw]

To be fair, I think Max doesn't care about the Competition. If you think about it, if he went full-time as a wizard, he probably end up using the family's magic to create a show in Las Vegas. Speaking of which, wouldn't it be interesting if the Russos could use magic while others were watching and just use "I'm a magician" as their excuse? I mean if some magicians can do public shows or even show off their tricks to crowds of people, why can't the Russos? For Alex and Justin, I suspect that they could give up their powers for love with mortals and realizing that life might be interesting without resorting to magic all the time. While this may not play with the upcoming season, even if no one had made mention of this, I thought this was a good idea that just came to me not too long ago. I think that the reason this show was made was because Disney couldn't live with themselves dealing with American Dragon: Jake Long that failed to captivate as many audiences as their live-action comedies that also used New York as the setting for all the magical creatures to reside besides the other areas around the world mentioned in the series. I know that it's a long shot but Disney could pay tribute to it or Gargoyles but that's nothing but fan fiction idealism. Through the show, we'll probably get hints of the kids graduating from high school which would be nice since Suite Life of Zack and Cody failed to do so with their titular characters ever since Suite Life on Deck came around.

Well, since this is/was my favorite animated show, I can say with certainty that the two shows are similiar. ADJL was a little more mature into its second season and that sort of stuff probably didn't fly with Disney.

I think the third season was very good to start off with (Wizards), but all the werewolf, and vampire and Harry Potterness have gotten all jumbled together and it's starting to wear on people (well, me anyway). Season 4 needs to focus on the kids having their love interests in tact and one of them becoming the only wizard. It's starting to get annoying otherwise. :sweat:

[NewcomerDC]

My belief in Max getting his powers stems from the previous generation. Kelbo couldn't succeed without it, and Jerry and their sister, the painter, could. Overall, I've enjoyed this series than any other live-action show on Disney, and I'm glad it's continuing. I just want some conclusion.
The problem is what can we suspect in the film in regards to special effects. Will they be better than what we were given in the first film or will they be downgraded to make way for more character development and story? I just hope that the plot doesn't have to do with any of the kids' having a birthday and the kids acting up just to show off to the parents that they can be the bosses of their lives ala The Proud Family Movie. Then again that little part, even without the birthday, was featured in the first Wizards of Waverly Place movie resulting in the big adventure because of Alex's wish of her parents never meeting up.

[OnePark]

The effect's depend on the budget and IF it is the finale, I'm sure it'll be good. Story-wise, all we can do is speculate, but I hope it isn't like the first. I enjoyed the first, but it could've been better. Seemed like it could've been crammed into one episode.

[NewcomerDC]

Well, since this is/was my favorite animated show, I can say with certainty that the two shows are similiar. ADJL was a little more mature into its second season and that sort of stuff probably didn't fly with Disney.

I think the third season was very good to start off with (Wizards), but all the werewolf, and vampire and Harry Potterness have gotten all jumbled together and it's starting to wear on people (well, me anyway). Season 4 needs to focus on the kids having their love interests in tact and one of them becoming the only wizard. It's starting to get annoying otherwise. :sweat:
I wouldn't mind for Alex and Justin's love interests, last seen in the Wizards vs. Werewolves two-parter, to return since, I'm going to guess here, that there could be spells that could revert them back to their human form. We all know that the actress who played Juliet was nothing more than a cute girl who could grow bat wings for arms, who accepted Justin even if he was trying too hard to be the perfectionist in the family, and didn't really do much for the series except make Harper jealous has moved on to Good Luck Charlie that could receive news of a possible second season and the actor who was the werewolf, forgot the name, has gone elsewhere for work, but hey a guy can dream. I will also agree that the show didn't have to rely on Harry Potter or the popularity of Twilight to make the writers go, "Hmm, let's make characters or write a plot that resorts around a fictional magical school with villains who are weak antagonists and who can easily be defeated by the likes of Voldemort and the Malfoy father and son team combined." I also hope that we don't have another crossover with the series with any of the other live-action comedies since I get the feeling that Disney wants to make another one come 2011.

[Alec]

I feel that the forth season will make way for the finale (which will probably be the movie).

To me, I feel the movie will revolve around the Russo's Wizard competition, then something goes wrong and either Alex, Justin or Max won't make it in time for the competition.

I just hope that Disney doesn't try to pull a "Let's just make them all wizards in the end," or one of them wins, and it's only a dream. Another thing that would put an interesting trick into the movie would be that none of them win the competition, that they are all equal or something happens and they lose their powers forever.

Hopefully we'll get something this next season and in the movie about who will be the better wizard and that the seies will have a final ending.

[Light Lucario]

Well it's official. While some of the characters annoy me to no end with little to no change in character development (i.e. In the series, Alex have performed nice gestures such as, in one episode, promoting the Arts when Mr. Laratate thought about getting rid of Art Class and reverting back to being a self-obsessed, sometimes lazy jerk that we're supposed to love because she's a model for young girls), I think that the Curse of the 4th Season is upon us. The show could decrease in quality just like That's So Raven in its fourth season (i.e. Raven and Eddie getting together with no hints of them being a couple in previous seasons, Chelsea being more of a cute annoyance with her increasing stupidity and the constant bashing upon the viewers' heads about being green and vegan). I think, to some people, Phineas and Ferb, is a show more deserving to have four seasons and more as it's now becoming the most popular animated series on Disney Channel despite all of its episodes being shown over and over and over again.

Slightly off-topic, but I do agree with you about the dip in quality regarding That's So Raven. Hints at Raven and Eddie being a couple in that one episode never made any sense considering there weren't any hints in previous seasons and they never came up again after that episode. Chelsea was kind of okay, though I could see some instances where she was more annoying. As for Phineas and Ferb, I could see it getting a fourth season, depending on if the movie they announced a few months ago will serve as the finale or not.

Anyway, I'm not too surprised that this series is getting a fourth season and a second movie. It's one of their most popular live-action series at the moment and I think that the ratings for the first movie were really good. Even though I find some of the characters unlikeable, mainly Alex, it's nice for the fans to get more episodes for this series. I could see them using the second movie as the finale since they would need to make the Wizard competition bigger than just a special in their regular series. Though, that depends on if they are going to go that route with the second movie. But hopefully it will be nicely done and give the series a good sense of conclusion.

[Silverstar]

I feel that the forth season will make way for the finale (which will probably be the movie).

To me, I feel the movie will revolve around the Russo's Wizard competition, then something goes wrong and either Alex, Justin or Max won't make it in time for the competition.

I just hope that Disney doesn't try to pull a "Let's just make them all wizards in the end," or one of them wins, and it's only a dream. Another thing that would put an interesting trick into the movie would be that none of them win the competition, that they are all equal or something happens and they lose their powers forever.

Hopefully we'll get something this next season and in the movie about who will be the better wizard and that the series will have a final ending.


Mind you, this is coming from someone who doesn't watch WoWP regularly or even semi-regularly, but I actually wouldn't mind if the writers found some clever loophole around the whole "only 1 sibling gets to keep their powers" bit. I always felt the whole wizards' competition angle was unnecessary and kind of cruel. I don't know much about the show, admittedly, but I never got why all 3 siblings can't just continue being wizards. The producers of Bewitched and Charmed didn't seem to have a problem with magic being an entire family's specialty.

[li_mangaman]

Certain elements of Wizards Of Waverly Place: The Movie do not make sense in the context of the episode "The Good, The Bad, And The Alex."

[NewcomerDC]

Certain elements of Wizards Of Waverly Place: The Movie do not make sense in the context of the episode "The Good, The Bad, And The Alex."
What elements from the film didn't make sense in that particular episode? After seeing it, I felt that Stevie was pretty wasted as a antagonist mainly because she was given four episodes. Then again, 1) she lasted longer than any of the villains in the series and 2) for those who remember her I bet she would had been ingrained in the audience's minds if there was a well-structured story arc with her going against the Wizard World with the Russo Three (Alex, Justin, and Max) working together with other young wizards, to defeat her and her rebellion army. Also, I wonder if some people wouldn't mind Hugh Normous pulls a Neville Longbottom and becomes a hero in a future episode or even in the second film. We haven't seen the character since he found out that his birth parents were still alive in Season Two if memory serves correctly in the episode 'Hugh's Not Normous'.

[Tobias]

I think Max will win the Wizard competition in the end. I've always been one to root for the underdog, plus we didn't get to see him compete in the first movie, so we don't know what he's truly capable of when it all comes down to the final stage.

[li_mangaman]

What elements from the film didn't make sense in that particular episode? After seeing it, I felt that Stevie was pretty wasted as a antagonist mainly because she was given four episodes. Then again, 1) she lasted longer than any of the villains in the series and 2) for those who remember her I bet she would had been ingrained in the audience's minds if there was a well-structured story arc with her going against the Wizard World with the Russo Three (Alex, Justin, and Max) working together with other young wizards, to defeat her and her rebellion army. Also, I wonder if some people wouldn't mind Hugh Normous pulls a Neville Longbottom and becomes a hero in a future episode or even in the second film. We haven't seen the character since he found out that his birth parents were still alive in Season Two if memory serves correctly in the episode 'Hugh's Not Normous'.
The transfer of powers ceremony was displayed so uniquely different in "The Good, The Bad, And The Alex" to the point where the story-arc depended on it.

[RonDrakenfan17]

I just want to know if Good Luck Charlie will get a second season, cuz I've been enjoying that series. I sure hope the second movie resolves every thing, question is what they'll do with Justin? Cuz isn't he supposed to be graduating this season? Will it be like Jackson and college? Well he didn't go to college really. Justin likley will and I'm assuming still try to win the wizard powers.

[OnePark]

They do live in New York, they have plenty of colleges fit for Justin. Knowing their dad, he's too cheap to pay for a dorm.

[NewcomerDC]

They do live in New York, they have plenty of colleges fit for Justin. Knowing their dad, he's too cheap to pay for a dorm.
Well if Justin, if he's written to go down this route in life, goes to college, then, if we all know by now, Disney's never going to make a college spin-off of any of their live-action shows. Now back when Lizzie McGuire was still popular, Ms. Duff turned it down thus making it obvious that while characters from a titular show could be written to go to the next level of education, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's spin-off time again. By now, I'm tired of spin-offs and hopefully once Suite Life On Deck ends, it'll be the last we'll ever hear of a spin-off...until the Sharpay movie next year.

I can't quite understand what you mean about the story arc depending on the transfer of power ceremony li_mangaman but if you mean the whole system with Stevie's power being transferred to her brother Warren then here's my theory. I guess that Warren was going to defeat his sister but it was Alex who tricked her into turning to stone thus making her the big hero with Warren laying face down on the ground after being knocked out earlier to Stevie's demise.

[Mister Intensity]

Likely the next movie will probably be the wizard competition. It will probably start off with Max's 16th birthday (the show seems to imply that the competition happens after the youngest turns 16). I hope the characters get a bit more depth this season since the characters seem to be "Flanderized" (one-note characterizations) with Alex being snarky and sneaky, Justin being the know it all (he really does need to be humbled), and Max being stupid. Ironically, Harper is the one character getting the most development this season by becoming a stronger person, rather being codependent and delusional as she was in the first two seasons.

The more I watch the show, the more I think that Justin is the one who couldn't live without magic. Max may not be the smartest Russo but you also get the sense that he doesn't care that much and he wants to take life as it comes; he doesn't even use magic that much. Alex always lands on her feet no matter what happens, plus you get the sense she is going to make the art thing happen for her. Justin may be smart but his whole identity is wrapped up in magical things.

Hopefully season four is better than season three thus far.

[li_mangaman]

I can't quite understand what you mean about the story arc depending on the transfer of power ceremony li_mangaman but if you mean the whole system with Stevie's power being transferred to her brother Warren then here's my theory. I guess that Warren was going to defeat his sister but it was Alex who tricked her into turning to stone thus making her the big hero with Warren laying face down on the ground after being knocked out earlier to Stevie's demise.
In "The Good, The Bad, And The Alex" the transfer of powers ceremony needed special proceedings and a location to happen. If it had followed the canon Wizards Of Waverly Place: The Movie had laid out, Warren would have received his powers instantly upon winning the family wizard competition.

[Kool345]

I agree. Season 3 is kind of a disappointment so far. The only reason Disney Channel did this was because of its success. Disney Channel's most successful shows right now are Phineas and Ferb, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Good Luck Charlie. Anyways, I do believe that Wizards of Waverly Place does not need another movie or seasons, but if I was the typical Disney Channel executive, I would find it a smart move to order more for what the kids want. The higher the ratings, the higher the chances of new episodes being produced. Disney Channel has success, so it is obvious that this would happen someday.

[NewcomerDC]

I agree. Season 3 is kind of a disappointment so far. The only reason Disney Channel did this was because of its success. Disney Channel's most successful shows right now are Phineas and Ferb, Wizards of Waverly Place, and Good Luck Charlie. Anyways, I do believe that Wizards of Waverly Place does not need another movie or seasons, but if I was the typical Disney Channel executive, I would find it a smart move to order more for what the kids want. The higher the ratings, the higher the chances of new episodes being produced. Disney Channel has success, so it is obvious that this would happen someday.
Good Luck Charlie a success? That's a laugh. I see that getting just another season and hitting the road similar to that of American Dragon: Jake Long. I agree that some of the Disney Channel shows don't need a lot more seasons but apparently the execs at the Mouse House don't care about our opinions about what we think and just create more episodes of the same mass-produced cliched shows that they've been known for years.

[Kool345]

Good Luck Charlie a success? That's a laugh. I see that getting just another season and hitting the road similar to that of American Dragon: Jake Long. I agree that some of the Disney Channel shows don't need a lot more seasons but apparently the execs at the Mouse House don't care about our opinions about what we think and just create more episodes of the same mass-produced cliched shows that they've been known for years.
According to many of Disney Channel's press releases, Good Luck Charlie is succeeding for them. I've noticed Good Luck Charlie, Wizards of Waverly Place, Phineas and Ferb, and Sonny With A Chance seem to be mentioned in almost every Disney Channel press release. Reason is, those shows are doing better than other shows like Hannah Montana, JONAS, and The Suite Life On Deck.

[NewcomerDC]

According to many of Disney Channel's press releases, Good Luck Charlie is succeeding for them. I've noticed Good Luck Charlie, Wizards of Waverly Place, Phineas and Ferb, and Sonny With A Chance seem to be mentioned in almost every Disney Channel press release. Reason is, those shows are doing better than other shows like Hannah Montana, JONAS, and The Suite Life On Deck.
I expect the success of Good Luck Charlie depended on the cute young baby girl playing Charlie because I'm not thinking that the entire cast have been doing anything to make the show popular. Plus, I say to cancel Suite Life on Deck and JONAS L.A. now if they can't get get high ratings since Hannah Montana's final season is already filmed to air later this year yet the show will exist on the network in more unneeded time slots since I'm sick of the channel continuing to talk about 'Hey guys, check out all 85 episodes IN ORDER!!' every...single...commercial break. Also, I'm going to take a guess when it comes to the movies but we're not going to get a big ratings hit until Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam since there's nothing that's making me want to check out 16 Wishes.

[RonDrakenfan17]

I expect the success of Good Luck Charlie depended on the cute young baby girl playing Charlie because I'm not thinking that the entire cast have been doing anything to make the show popular. Plus, I say to cancel Suite Life on Deck and JONAS L.A. now if they can't get get high ratings since Hannah Montana's final season is already filmed to air later this year yet the show will exist on the network in more unneeded time slots since I'm sick of the channel continuing to talk about 'Hey guys, check out all 85 episodes IN ORDER!!' every...single...commercial break. Also, I'm going to take a guess when it comes to the movies but we're not going to get a big ratings hit until Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam since there's nothing that's making me want to check out 16 Wishes.

While the baby is a cutie, that's not the only reason to me that I've been staying tuned. It also has had a couple of laughs in it, like the episode where Charlie's born, that was a good one, plus its one of the few shows these days that's realistic. Is Suite Life on Deck not doing well? I thought it was :eek:

[NewcomerDC]

While the baby is a cutie, that's not the only reason to me that I've been staying tuned. It also has had a couple of laughs in it, like the episode where Charlie's born, that was a good one. Is Suite Life on Deck not doing well? I thought it was :eek:
I think that since the twins are getting older, the show's pretty much dying in terms of youth and, I'm going to guess, on quality since, while we've seen little character developments among the cast through the years, I think some people are tired of Zack trying to be the ladies' man with him probably going to end up single again by the time On Deck ends, Cody and Bailey continuing to rub in their classmates' faces of them being very intelligent even though being smart isn't a bad thing, London, while not being as dumb as Chelsea as That's So Raven season 4, continuing to be the caricature of Paris Hilton who is just an old joke.