<P> On September 27, 2012, Disney Channel announced that Wizards of Waverly Place would return for an hour - long special, that began production on October 22, 2012, and ended production on November 10, 2012, for a premiere telecast on the cable channel in early 2013 . The special, executive - produced by Selena Gomez, alongside series executive producers Vince Cheung and Ben Montanio (who also co-wrote the special with Dan Berendsen), centers on the Russos', Mason, and Harper's visit to Italy to meet long - lost relatives from Jerry's side of the family . In an attempt to prove to her family that she's not merely a carefree wizard, Alex inadvertently casts a spell that creates two versions of her with differing personalities: an evil version of Alex that ends up involved in another wizard's (Dominic) plan for world domination, and a good version who upon discovering the wizard's plan, tries to find a way to save her family and mankind, leading to a literal battle between good and evil atop the Leaning Tower of Pisa . The film is titled The Wizards Return: Alex vs. Alex and premiered on March 15, 2013 . </P> <P> This series was created and as produced by Todd J. Greenwald, who began developing the show after working as a writer and consulting producer during the first season of Hannah Montana . The show is produced by It's a Laugh Productions and Disney Channel Original Productions . The theme song, "Everything Is Not What It Seems", written by John Adair and Steve Hampton, is of techno - pop style and is performed by Selena Gomez . The series was filmed at Hollywood Center Studios in Hollywood, California . </P> <P> For the first three seasons the show used the same title sequence which is set to Selena Gomez's rendition of "Everything Is Not What It Seems"; it shows Alex, Justin, Max and Harper engaging in magical antics while preparing for school in the morning . The fourth season began using a slightly altered version of the song, and a different sequence involving the cast, who all appear in Times Square at the end of the sequence with Alex waving her wand . </P> <P> The show debuted on Disney Channel on October 12, 2007 after the premiere of Twitches Too, gathering 5.9 million viewers . In January 2010, "Wizards vs. Werewolves" one - hour special episode became the series' most - watched (non-crossover) episode with 6.2 million viewers, surpassing the 6 million viewers of "Paint By Committee" episode The series' most watched episode, including crossovers, was "Cast - Away (To Another Show)" episode, which was included in the special trilogy of crossover episodes between three Disney Channel original sitcoms, Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana . The broadcast was watched by 10.6 million viewers . In 2009, the series was the top scripted telecast for teens between the age of 9--14 (1.63 million / 6.7 rating) and second in kids 6--11 (1.81 million / 7.4 rating), which was only slightly behind The Suite Life on Deck (1.82 million / 7.4 rating .) </P>

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