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Jake T. Austin Excluded From Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Revival

8/9/2026

31 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Austin Declines Revival

Jake T. Austin said on August 6, 2026 he was willing to reprise Max Russo after a 2020 offer, but the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place revival excluded him.
Showrunner Scott Thomas wrote on X that Austin was approached several times with no response, a claim echoed by David Henrie saying Austin declined offers.
Austin claimed he learned of the spinoff in October 2024, felt dismissed after season 1, and never received a cameo invitation.

Summary

Austin Finale

Disney Channel declined comment when Variety asked about Jake T. Austin’s exclusion.
The third and final season aired its series finale this week, ending the 2024-2026 run.
The sequel follows Justin Russo’s married life with two sons in Staten Island, where Alex asks him to train young wizard Billie.
Max Russo turned the Waverly Sub Station into a billion-dollar franchise and now lives aboard a yacht.

History

Historical Context

Disney Channel debuted the musical franchise Descendants on July 31 2015, drawing 6.6 million viewers and spawning sequels in 2017 and 2019. Its rapid merchandise success—nearly 7 million dolls and 9 million books by 2022—showed Disney’s profit in brand extensions. That track record underlies for the current Wizards Beyond Waverly Place spin-off and casting strategic choices.

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Austin Declines Revival

Jake T. Austin said on August 6, 2026 he was willing to reprise Max Russo after a 2020 offer, but the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place revival excluded him.
Showrunner Scott Thomas wrote on X that Austin was approached several times with no response, a claim echoed by David Henrie saying Austin declined offers.
Austin claimed he learned of the spinoff in October 2024, felt dismissed after season 1, and never received a cameo invitation.

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