Jake T. Austin ‘Disappointed’ About ‘Wizards’ Reboot

Former Disney star Jake T. Austin recently informed his Instagram followers that he was disappointed he wasn’t invited to be part of the “Wizards of Waverly Place” reboot alongside Selena Gomez and David Henrie.

His statement comes days after Disney revealed that the sequel, “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place,” which premiered in 2024, would conclude after its third season concluded in August 2026.

Austin, who played Max Russo in the original series, said that he was first asked to reprise his role in a “Wizards” reboot back in 2020.

He explained that he was “100% in.” However, “the powers that be” decided to go in a different direction.

“To all the Wizards fans, just wanted to say for the record how disappointed I am to have not been included in the spinoff,” he wrote online.

The “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” reboot focused primarily on David Henrie’s character, Justin Russo, and his family. In the series, he welcomes a young wizard into his home and helps her learn more about magic and controlling her powers.

Austin said that while he wasn’t involved in the series, he wasn’t holding on to any hard feelings.

“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,” he finished.

David DeLuise Throws Shade After Learning ‘Wizards Beyond Waverly Place’ Is Concluding

Austin wasn’t the only original cast member with something to say about the ending of the show.

On Instagram, David DeLuise, who played Max, Alex, and Justin Russo’s father in the original series, commented on a clip and appeared to throw a bit of shade.

“It would not be over the OG wizards were really there,” he wrote. “Missed opportunity.”

In addition to DeLuise, Dan Benson, who played Zeke during the show’s first run, also voiced his disappointment about the reboot and slammed Henrie for ruining the series.

“It’s just heartbreaking because there was so much potential for a Wizards reboot and it turned into the failed David Henrie show,” he wrote. “People say I’m just bitter I didn’t get invited back, but I’m actually just sad for the fans. WoWP changed my life forever; I’ll always be grateful.”

Jennifer Stone Didn’t Believe She’d Appear In The ‘Wizards’ Reboot

Jennifer Stone, who played Harper in the original series, makes a cameo in the series finale of “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place.” And while she was happy to have a small role in the series, she revealed that she was caught off guard when she was asked to return.

“When Wizards Beyond first came out, I had a conversation with David, and he was kind of like, ‘Hey, if it makes sense down the line, maybe you’ll be on for an episode.’ So I kind of, to be honest, mourned it and was like, ‘Okay, I put Harper to bed like 15 years ago. She can live back in the original show,’” Stone told Deadline. “I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call to come back.”

Harper shared that Henrie, who reportedly had a lot of creative control over the series, didn’t want to dwell in the past by having previous characters return, adding that the focus was on a new family and a new generation of Wizards.

So, learning that her character would appear in the series, even if it were for a limited part, was “so cool on multiple levels.”

“One, it got to entertain the ‘what if’ in this alternate reality, if that had happened. And, two, I love that not only have the characters matured, but the relationship has, too,” she said.

Henrie Was Excited To Reunite With Selena Gomez For A Reboot

Back in 2024, Henrie revealed he’d be more than willing to partner with Gomez, who was the lead of the OG series in the early 2000s, to bring “Wizards” back to the small screen.

According to a previous report from The Blast, he said that the cast was like “family” off-camera, so reuniting would feel natural. “I would love to do a reboot. I think it’s just about the idea and the when and how and all of that,” he said.

Disney Has Rebooted Other Shows As Well

Disney’s “Wizards Beyond Waverly Place” reboot isn’t the first early-2000s sitcom that the network has brought back to life.

Before the new magical series, Raven-Symoné led the “That’s So Raven” spinoff “Raven’s Home,” while Kyla Pratt starred in the “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” reboot on Disney+.