Wizards of Waverly Place Original Ending Was So Much More Tear-Jerking Than What We Got
It has been 13 years since Wizards of Waverly Place ended. If you are still sore about the ending, the show's executive producer has another one to offer. Intrigued?
In the latest episode of Wizards of Waverly Pod, a podcast dedicated to the show, head writer and executive producer Peter Murrieta joins hosts Jennifer Stone (Harper) and David DeLuise (Jerry).
He shares his vision for the show's ending – and it could not be more different from what we got!
Murrieta had the perfect way to tie up loose ends and give us an ending full of heart and emotion, but apparently, Disney execs didn't let him do that (he was not part of the creative process for the final season).
In the end, Disney went with more of an action spectacle approach to the series finale – the big family wizard competition where Justin won, then turned out Alex was the true winner, but they both got to keep their powers (poor Max though!).
Though, it is a great episode with the happy-ever-after they deserve.
Peter Murrieta had something else in mind. He actually wanted Alex to follow in her dad's footsteps: win the competition but give it all up for love and be with Mason (with Justin becoming the family wizard).
The screenwriter envisioned a scene where Alex and Jerry would have a big talk, and then it would cut to Harper reading a bedtime story to her kids in the future. That would have melted our hearts!
David DeLuise heard the original ending idea and couldn't help but shed a tear. We don't blame him because it would have been really wholesome.
Murrieta also wanted season 4 to focus on Alex and Mason's relationship and develop those characters into more compatible halves of each other. This makes sense – it would make Alex's decision to give up her powers more logical.
David and Jennifer went on to discuss how season 4 had a different tone and vibe without Peter as the showrunner (and it really showed!). Remember how insufferable Mason became in season 4? Makes sense why now.
Many fans agree that the original ending would have been more fitting.
When Alex first heard that Jerry had won his family wizard competition but gave up his powers to be with Theresa, she was the only one who thought that the gesture was sweet and romantic.
For her to do the same in the end seems only fair, right?
Wizards of Waverly Pod has had us all nostalgic for the good old days since the very first episode. We don't know about you, but we feel like a Wizards reunion is just what we need right now!