And for his next trick… Wizards of Waverly Place star David Henrie has conjured up a script! The 20-year-old actor says it was a “magical experience” to write the May 21 episode of the Disney Channel kidcom, titled “Alex’s Logo.” “Seeing words I wrote come alive on screen—it’s [been] a dream since I was a little kid!” But it wasn’t easy. “It’s the worst feeling when you write a joke and it doesn’t get a laugh,” he says. “It’s your baby! You put so much time in your script and then changes are made to it, but that’s the process and it was just great to be a part of it and learn everything.”

Henrie—who also appears on How I Met Your Mother as the future son of Ted—was also enthusiastic about getting the chance to add his youthful perspective to the story line, which finds his TV sister, Alex (Selena Gomez), experiencing a dip in popularity at school. “You shouldn’t worry about those stupid things,” says Henrie, who proves himself perfectly comfortable being the butt of the joke as Waverly Place’s dorky big brother Justin and for his upcoming recurring role on the Disney Channel hit JONAS L.A. Says Henrie, “I wanted to do like Seth Green’s arc on Entourage—come in and play the heightened, cockier version of myself. It’s good fun!”

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On television, David Henrie plays the role of teen wizard Justin Russo on the Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place.” He and his two siblings Alex and Max use their special powers for everything from household chores to playing tricks on each other. Henrie is working magic in his real life, too. His career includes roles on shows such as “How I Met Your Mother,” “That’s so Raven,” “House” and “Providence.” He has also started his own production company, YUTE Productions. Add his upcoming appearance at Saturday’s Peoria Rivermen game and you have a pretty packed schedule. But the 20-year-old Arizona native still found time to speak with Cue after a day of shooting “Wizards” in Hollywood. – Danielle Hatch

How is “Wizards of Waverly Place” going?

We’re in our third season. A big thing that happened to me this year is I got to write on the show. I wrote my own episode, and we shot that a couple of weeks ago. That was pretty big for me. They haven’t set a release date, but I would imagine it will air in the next month or two. I know they’re almost done editing it right now.

Is this the first time you’ve gotten to write?

Professionally, yeah. I’ve been writing for a long time and shooting stuff with my buddies, but professionally, it was the first time.

Did you feel a lot of pressure since it was your first professional gig?

Yeah, of course. It was very stressful, but this is something I’ve always wanted to do, so I fought through it, and it all worked out.

What kinds of projects have you worked on with your friends?

Well, I have my own production company, I’m going to be writing and producing feature films. And there’s a new media side to that production company. I’m currently developing a Web series that I’m either going to star in or hire people to star in, and I’m going to be running the show almost. People can visit youtube.com/yutetv to see our projects.

Tell me more about your production company. When did you start it?

I started it about a year ago. It’s called YUTE Productions. In “My Cousin Vinny,” Joe Pesci said, “I got a couple of yutes here.” He said it with a New York accent, but it really means “youths.” So that’s why it’s spelled YUTE. It’s looking like my first feature after “Wizards” will be produced through my production company. I’ve been involved in rewrites of the script, it’s in development now. And we’re working on having a social network designed right now. I’ll be writing and possibly directing a full-blown Web series.

What’s your long-term goal?

All different sides – I want to act, I want to direct, I want to write. I want to be like a Vince Vaughn or a (Steven) Spielberg.

How did you get your start in acting?

I started working when I was about 9. I grew up in Arizona, I have a big Italian family so I have a boisterous personality, and I liked to keep them entertained and joke around. I’m a little bit of a prankster, so naturally I fit right into acting. I came out here (to California) and started auditioning for things. I was very social and not afraid to talk to people. And the ball just started rolling from there, I started booking things more and more. I’ve been working steadily since 9.

What would your dream project be, and who would you like to work with?

If I could work with Daniel Day Lewis, or Jeff Bridges, or Robert Downey Jr., I would love to do something like that. Growing up, my favorite movies – since I’m Sicilian – were mafia movies like “The Godfather.”

I read that you’re a pretty big movie buff. With awards season coming up, what are some films you’ve seen this year that deserve recognition?

“Crazy Heart” was really, really good. The movie that I laughed at the most was “The Hangover.” It was absolutely hilarious. “Up in the Air” was really good, too. The one that I think should take home all the awards is “Crazy Heart” – the soundtrack, too. Jeff Bridges is absolutely amazing, he portrays such an interesting character, and he does it so well and so relatable that you can’t help but see his life story through his eyes. And just someone who’s been through high points and low points is always an intriguing watch.

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David Henrie will appear at the Peoria Rivermen game against the Rockford IceHogs on Saturday. The game starts at 7:30 p.m., and Henrie will sign autographs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the main concourse. Tickets are $20 for lower bowl, $15 for upper bowl at the box office, Rivermen.net or by calling Ticketmaster at 676-8700.

Wizards of Waverly Place star David Henrie just returned from his first trip to Italy (homeland of his maternal grandparents), where he visited Disney Channel in Rome and Florence. The 19-year-old actor traveled with his mom, dad and 15-year-old brother Lorenzo (pictured here).

Love their lookalike poses!

After stopping to sign autographs for fans, David had a few things to say about his trip with JJJ:

On getting overwhelmed by all the beauty in Italy: “Words can’t possibly describe the emotion you get when looking up at Michelangelo’s art. It was truly breathtaking. So beautiful, I was in awe.”

On how he recommends enjoying the country: “I recommend just getting lost in the city, eat at little pizza, shop, enjoy the culture and relax.”

On speaking Italian: “I speak enough to order food and get by, I can pick up on words in conversation.”

Clips of David’s trip will be shown on a Disney 365 installment scheduled to premiere January 2009. He’s already back to work in L.A., shooting new scenes for Wizards.

GALLERY LINK:
>> Candids – Visiting Disney Channel Italy

David DeLuise reports his “Wizards of Waverly Place” troupe has just finished filming an episode that is “an homage to silent movies. We got to do all the silent movie gags — the sandwich that never ends, the slapstick … ” It was series son David Henrie that really impressed him, he says. “He’s a very, very inventive and creative guy.

You know, kids today don’t see silent films — but he went and he saw them and he studied and ended up bringing a great energy to it. He got the Chaplin waddle. He ran around a corner and caught the light post with his cane. It was really impressive.” The episode will be on in ’09.

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“Disney Channel’s original series “Wizards of Waverly Place” could be heading to the big screen. Spilling out the bean, the comedy series star Selena Gomez told MTV News that plans to develop a movie from the hit series “Waverly Place” have been discussed.

Gushing over the movie plans, the 16-year-old revealed that there are talks to shoot the production in New York. “Yes! We actually want to shoot it here in New York,” so she claimed. On the potential storyline, the starlet who lends her voice to “Horton Hears a Who!” suggested that the family’s secret may be exposed.”

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David Henrie, 19, who plays eldest wizard brother Justin, is perhaps a bit old for trick or treating, but he can recall years dressed as a Power Ranger or Ninja Turtle.

“I was always a ninja of some sort,” he recalls.

His advice for Halloween? Be safe and careful (spoken like a true grown-up).

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