Jake T. Austin Says He Was “Disappointed” He Wasn’t Included in “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” Finale

Jake T. Austin, known for playing Max Russo on Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place,” said he was “disappointed” he was not included in the franchise’s next installment, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.” In comments reported by Deadline on August 7, the actor described how he felt about not appearing in the Wizards of Waverly finale, even as some original cast members returned for the project.

Deadline’s report described the latest “Wizards” production as bringing back several familiar faces from the Russo family lineup, before moving toward the story’s final spell. Within that return, however, Austin was not part of the on-screen reunion. The article focused on his reaction, noting his disappointment at being left out of the new project despite the franchise’s use of legacy casting.

Austin’s remarks centered on the gap between the franchise’s nods to earlier seasons and his own absence from the latest run of the story. The actor’s comments, as characterized by Deadline, framed his non-inclusion as personally disappointing, reflecting the way original viewers often look to see which characters carry over into continuation projects.

The news comes as Disney’s wider strategy for its television and streaming brands continues to rely on recognizable franchises and multi-generational fan followings. In that context, the appearance of some original cast members can be a key factor in how audiences judge whether a sequel or continuation feels connected to the earlier series, especially when a production is billed as a closing chapter for a long-running universe.

Deadline also reported the project’s connection to the Russo family, emphasizing that the latest effort did not include all of the original family members on screen. For Austin, the franchise’s mix of returning and non-returning performers became the backdrop for his comments, with his “disappointed” reaction underscoring that legacy casting decisions can carry emotional weight for the artists involved.

As of publication, the reporting did not detail the specific reasons for Austin’s absence from “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.” The article presented his reaction as part of a larger conversation about which characters return in continuation installments, and what that means for cast members whose roles helped define the original show.

For viewers, the practical implication is that the finale’s roster of returning characters may be narrower than some fans expected from the original series. For the production, the continued reliance on legacy recognition remains a prominent feature, but Austin’s comments highlight that casting is not always all-or-nothing, even in projects aimed at longtime audiences.