Full Breakdown
Jake T. Austin’s Exclusion from “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” Sparks Public Dispute
8/9/2026, 2:09:22 AM
Core Event
The Disney Channel sequel series “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” concluded its three-season run in 2026 without Max Russo, the character portrayed by Jake T. Austin in the original 2007-2012 sitcom. On August 6, Austin posted an Instagram Story expressing disappointment at not being included and stating that he had been asked in 2020 to reprise the role and was “100% in.” Other parties involved with the revival have offered contrasting accounts of the outreach and Austin’s response.
Background & Context
- Original series (2007-2012): Jake T. Austin (Max Russo), Selena Gomez (Alex Russo), and David Henrie (Justin Russo) led the Disney Channel hit, with David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrera playing their parents.
- Revival (2024-2026): Titled “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” the sequel focused on Justin Russo’s family, featured Gomez in a recurring guest role, and retained DeLuise and Canals-Barrera for parental appearances. Both Gomez and Henrie served as executive producers.
Timeline
- 2020: Austin says he was approached about returning as Max Russo.
- August 6 (2026): Austin shares his disappointment on Instagram.
- 2024-2026: Production and airing of the three-season revival, ending with the series finale in early 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
- Jake T. Austin – In his Instagram Story, Austin asserted that he had been asked in 2020, confirmed his willingness to return, and lamented that the show’s direction excluded his character. He also expressed continued affection for his former castmates.
- Scott Thomas – One of the showrunners corroborated Henrie’s version, stating that Austin was approached multiple times and that the team received “no response.”
- Disney Channel – A representative did not immediately respond to media inquiries for comment.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Austin’s claim: He was invited in 2020, accepted, and was later left out when the series changed direction.
- Henrie and Thomas’s claim: Austin was offered the role several times but declined each offer, providing no confirmation of interest.
- No independent source has verified either side’s account of the outreach timeline, the number of offers made, or Austin’s decision-making process. The lack of a Disney Channel comment leaves a key piece of the negotiation record unconfirmed.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To all the Wizards fans, just wanted to say for the record how disappointed I am to have not been included in the spinoff,” — Jake T. Austin
- “I was asked back in 2020 if I was interested in reprising my role and said that I was 100% in.” — Jake T. Austin
- “He definitely was. Yeah. He’s busy.” — David Henrie, returned for the revival and executive produced the series
- “I woulda loved to have Max back but sadly he didn’t accept our numerous offers to join the new show,” — David Henrie, returned for the revival and executive produced the series
- “I’m one of the Wizards showrunners so I can confirm that David Henrie is correct,” — Scott Thomas
These statements capture the core positions of the involved parties and illustrate the public disagreement over why Max Russo did not appear in the revival.
