According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jake T. Austin (Hotel for Dogs, Go, Diego, Go!), star of Wizards of Waverly Place, shares his feelings on not being invited to take part in the revival series Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’s finale.
“To all the Wizards fans, just wanted to say for the record how disappointed I am to have not been included in the spinoff,” Austin wrote on his Instagram Story on Thursday, per People. “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.”
He continued via The Hollywood Reporter, “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.”
As per The Hollywood Reporter, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place premiered in 2024 and had three-season run and is based on and continues the original Disney series Wizards of Waverly Place. Austin, Selena Gomez (Only Murders in the Building, Spring Breakers) and David Henrie (Monster Summer, How I Met Your Mother) starred in the original series that spanned from 2007-2012, as the Russo Siblings.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Gomez and Henrie that portrayed Justin and Alex Russo returned for the revival and executive produced the series. Their onscreen parents, David DeLuise (Pup Star, Happy) and Maria Canals-Barrera (Camp Rock 3, Dance Rivals), also reprised their roles.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Austin’s claims contrast with what Henrie told TV Insider in a recent interview on the series. When he was asked if Austin was asked back to reprise his role, his answer was, “He definitely was. Yeah. He’s busy.”
“He’s got a lot going on in his life,” he added via The Hollywood Reporter. “We love him and wish him all the best with everything that he’s got going on in his life.”
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place explains that Austin’s character Max turned their home from the original series from a regular Sub Station shop to a billion-dollar franchise, with his character now living on a yacht The Hollywood Reporter reports.
Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is available to stream on Disney+.