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Now that the sequel series has ended its three-season run, “Wizards of Waverly Place” star Jake T. Austin has finally opened up about not being included in “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.”
Austin, who played youngest
sibling Max Russo on all four seasons of the hit Disney Channel sitcom, was the only key cast member from the original show to not appear in the revival, which aired for three seasons on Disney Channel and follows Justin Russo (David Henrie) as a dad training his own children to be wizards.
“To all the Wizard fans, just wanted to say for the record how disappointed I am to have not been included in the spinoff,” Austin wrote on Instagram on Aug. 6, two days after the “Beyond Waverly Place” series finale. “I was asked back in 2020 if I was interested in reprising my role and said that I was 100% in. Unfortunately, the powers that be decided to take the show in a different direction and my character wasn’t part of the equation.”
Austin continued, “Even though I wasn’t involved, I still have nothing but love for my former castmates and wish them continued success. Thank you to all the fans who watched over the years. The show wouldn’t be what it is without your endless support.”
Austin’s on-screen siblings Selena Gomez and Henrie were both executive producers on “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” with Gomez appearing as a recurring guest star and Henrie as a series regular. The Russo siblings’ parents, played by David DeLuise and Maria Canals-Barrera, also reprised their roles in guest appearances.
A representative for Disney Channel did not immediately respond to Variety‘s request for comment.
Austin’s post on Instagram seems to contradict what Henrie recently told TV Insider about Max’s absence on the show. After the series finale, Henrie said Austin “definitely was” asked to reprise his role on “Beyond Waverly Place,” but “he’s busy. He’s got a lot going on in his life.”
DeLuise, who reprised his role as patriarch Jerry Russo in two episodes (but not the finale), also made headlines for speaking out about the sequel series. “It would not be over if the OG wizards were really there,” he wrote in an Instagram comment, referencing certain actors’ exclusion from the episode. “Missed opportunity.”
The four-part finale of “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” debuted on Aug. 4 on Disney Channel.
