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Selena Gomez is stepping into the director's chair for the final chapter of Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.
On Thursday (April 2), the Wizards of Waverly Place sequel series announced it was returning for its third and final season this year with a "four-part event" to wrap up the story of the Russo family. According to Deadline, production is set to begin next week, with the season premiering on Disney+ and Disney Channel this summer.
In addition to reprising her role as Alex Russo and serving as an executive producer, Gomez is set to make her directorial debut in the premiere episode.
The final season will pick up after the cliffhanger at the end of season two where Alex, after the major reveal that she is actually Billie's (Janice LeAnn Brown) mother, jumped into a portal to the world of dark magic in order to close it and save her family. The four-part finale will follow her family — including brother Justin Russo (David Henrie) — as they do what it takes to rescue Alex from the forces of evil.
"Billie, still reeling from losing Alex at the end of Season 2, discovers that the only way to rescue her mother is to reunite with her long-lost father," according to Disney's logline. "As her family bands together to find Alex, Billie realizes that their combined power is the only way the Russos can defeat the evil plaguing them."
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place also stars Alkaio Thiel (Roman Russo), Max Matenko (Milo Russo), Mimi Gianopulos (Giada Russo) and Taylor Cora (Winter).