Jake T. Austin has expressed his disappointment after being left out of the Wizards of Waverly Place sequel series as it comes to an end. The actor spoke out on social media following the premiere of the third and final season of the revived show.
The original comedy series, which followed three teenage wizard siblings, defined an era for teenage viewers alongside Hannah Montana and The Jonas Brothers. It launched Selena Gomez to stardom before the sequel series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, premiered in 2024. Most of the main cast returned for the revival, including Gomez, who also served as an executive producer, but the absence of Austin as youngest brother Max Russo drew widespread attention.
Austin stated on his social media accounts that he was asked in 2020 if he wanted to reprise his role, and he answered that he definitely did. He explained that the show creators later chose to change the direction of the series, leaving his character out of the storyline entirely.
Plot Changes And Cast Statements
The new storyline takes place 15 years after the original series finale. It centers on Justin Russo, played by David Henrie, who is living a normal life with his wife and two sons in Staten Island. His sister Alex Russo, played by Gomez, asks him to help mentor a young wizard apprentice named Billie. Justin decides to return to magic to train Billie while balancing a normal life and protecting the future of the Wizard World.
Despite his exclusion, Austin said he still holds great affection for his former castmates and wishes them continued success. He also thanked fans for their support over the years, adding that the show would not exist without their dedication.
Conflicting Accounts From Co-Stars
Austin's statement directly contrasts with remarks from Henrie, who also worked as a producer on the sequel. Henrie told Tvinsider that producers definitely asked Austin to return, but claimed Austin declined because he was busy with other projects at the time.
The dispute comes after David DeLuise, who reprised his role as family patriarch Jerry Russo for two episodes, shared his own thoughts on Instagram. DeLuise wrote in a comment that the sequel series would not have ended if the original wizards had been included in the cast.
