Jake T. Austin says he’s disappointed by ‘Wizards’ reunion exclusion

Jake T. Austin says he was “disappointed” not to be asked back for the Disney Channel reunion special “Wizards: Once in a Lifetime,” the one-off follow-up to the 2007–2012 series “Wizards of Waverly Place.”

The original show launched Selena Gomez to global fame and made household names of the Russo siblings—Max, Alex and Justin. Austin, who played Max, was the youngest and only male lead, yet he did not appear in the July 2023 special that brought back Gomez, David Henrie and Maria Canals-Barrera. In a Thursday Instagram Story, he called the omission “strange” and said the news left him “disappointed.”

Austin, now 29, has moved on to adult roles on “The Fosters” and “Younger,” but the Wizards reunion carried extra weight because it capped a decade-long absence from the Disney fold. The special drew 3.8 million total viewers on Disney Channel, showing the franchise still packs a punch. Austin’s absence was noted by fans who grew up with Max’s wisecracking charm, especially after his own social media posts suggested he expected an invite.

The gap may reflect behind-the-scenes decisions about continuity or scheduling—Henrie was already committed to “How I Met Your Father” when filming began. Whatever the reason, Austin’s reaction highlights how reunion specials walk a tightrope between nostalgia and real-life schedules. For Disney, balancing old stars and new talent remains a delicate act.