Jake T. Austin Expresses Disappointment Over Exclusion from “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place”

Austin, TX, August 6, 2026 —

Actor Jake T. Austin has shared his disappointment after learning he will not be part of the upcoming Disney Channel series, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.” The new show is a continuation of the popular Disney Channel series “Wizards of Waverly Place,” which originally starred Austin alongside Selena Gomez and David Henrie.

Austin, who portrayed the character Max Russo in the original series, expressed his feelings about not being included in the new project. Details regarding the specific reasons for his exclusion were not provided.

“Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” is set to follow an older, fully grown Alex Russo (played by Selena Gomez), who is on a path to reject her family’s magical legacy. Alex seeks a normal, mortal life with her friends and family, but must learn to navigate the wizarding world once more when she unexpectedly brings her new, young wizard-in-training under her wing.

David Henrie is also returning as Justin Russo and will be serving as an executive producer for the new series. The original “Wizards of Waverly Place” ran for four seasons from 2007 to 2012, earning numerous awards and a significant following.

The announcement of the new series initially generated excitement among fans of the original show, many of whom had hoped for the return of the full original cast. Austin’s expressed disappointment highlights a sentiment that may be shared by some viewers who were anticipating a more complete reunion.

The role of Max Russo was a significant part of Austin’s early career, and his absence from the reboot leaves a notable gap for fans who remember his character’s journey throughout the original series.

Story summarized from the original created by Google News on news.google.com, see more information here.