Jake T. Austin Says He Was ‘100% In’ for a Max Russo Return That Never Happened Neda MarkovicFri, August 7, 2026 at 2:42 PM UTC 0 Image credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock. Jake T. Austin says he wanted to reprise his role as Max Russo in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, but the Disney Channel continuation ultimately moved forward without him. The actor addressed his absence after the sequel series concluded with a fourpart finale in August, saying he was disappointed that Max never appeared.
Jake T. Austin Says He Was ‘100% In’ for a Max Russo Return That Never Happened
Neda MarkovicFri, August 7, 2026 at 2:42 PM UTC
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Image credit: Featureflash Photo Agency / Shutterstock.
Jake T. Austin says he wanted to reprise his role as Max Russo in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, but the Disney Channel continuation ultimately moved forward without him.
The actor addressed his absence after the sequel series concluded with a four-part finale in August, saying he was disappointed that Max never appeared.
Austin said he had been asked years earlier whether he would be interested in returning and made his enthusiasm clear, telling those involved that he was “100% in.”
His account makes Max the only member of the original Russo sibling trio who never appeared in Wizards Beyond Waverly Place. David Henrie returned as Justin Russo throughout the series, while Selena Gomez made multiple appearances as Alex Russo.
Austin Says He Was ‘100% In’ When Asked About Returning
Austin addressed fans through Instagram Stories following the August 4th 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,” he wrote, according to PEOPLE.
Austin said he had been approached well before the sequel premiered. “I was asked back in 2020 if I was interested in reprising my role and said that I was 100% in,” he wrote. He said the project eventually developed without Max.
“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. Despite his disappointment, Austin said he still had “nothing but love” for his former castmates and thanked viewers for continuing to support the franchise.
His Explanation Differs From David Henrie’s Earlier Account
Henrie previously confirmed that Austin had been approached about appearing. “He definitely was,” Henrie told TV Insider when asked whether Austin had been invited back.
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Henrie then suggested that his former costar had other things happening in his life. “He’s busy. He’s got a lot going on in his life,” Henrie said. “We love him and wish him all the best.”
Entertainment Weekly reported that representatives for Wizards Beyond Waverly Place did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Austin’s account.
The Series Made Max a Billionaire Without Bringing Him Back
Although Austin never appeared, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place established what became of Max after the original series. The sequel revealed that he took over the Russo family’s Waverly Sub Station and transformed the sandwich shop into a billion-dollar franchise.
That allowed Max to remain part of the Russo family story without Austin appearing onscreen. The original Wizards of Waverly Place ended with Max inheriting the family business after losing the competition that determined which Russo sibling would retain magical powers.
In the continuation, Justin and Alex returned physically while their younger brother existed only through references to the successful life he had built.
The Finale Brought Back Several Other Original Characters
The four-part finale significantly expanded the sequel’s connections to the original series. Disney’s official announcement confirmed the returns of Jennifer Stone as Harper Finkle, Gregg Sulkin as Mason Greyback and Maria Canals-Barrera as Theresa Russo.
Gomez also returned as Alex and made her directorial debut with the first episode of the finale event. The episodes premiered August 4th on Disney Channel and became available August 5th on Disney+.
David DeLuise, who played Russo family patriarch Jerry and had previously guest-starred in the continuation, also criticized the limited use of original characters as the series approached its ending. “It would not be over if the OG wizards were really there,” DeLuise wrote in an Instagram comment. “Missed opportunity.”
Austin stopped short of criticizing his former castmates, instead directing his disappointment toward the decision that left Max outside the sequel. “Even though I wasn’t involved, I still have nothing but love for my former castmates and wish them continued success,” he wrote.
Source: "AOL Entertainment"
Source: Entertainment
Published: August 7, 2026 at 06:00PM on Source: RED MAG
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