David DeLuise has made his feelings about the Wizards Beyond Waverly Place finale quite clear. The 54-year-old actor, who played Russo family patriarch Jerry on the original Disney Channel series, called the sequel’s conclusion a “missed opportunity” and suggested more involvement from the original cast could have changed its fate.
DeLuise shared his criticism in an Instagram comment beneath an Entertainment Tonight video featuring Selena Gomez and David Henrie discussing the show’s third and final season.
“It would not be over if the OG wizards were really there,” he wrote. “Missed opportunity.”
Disney had not responded to E! News’ request for comment at the time of publication.
Which original cast members returned?
Wizards of Waverly Place aired for four seasons from 2007 to 2012 and also produced a television movie. Disney announced the follow-up series in 2024, with Gomez and Henrie serving as executive producers while returning as Alex and Justin Russo.
DeLuise also revisited his role, appearing in two episodes during the sequel’s first season. Maria Canals Barrera, who played Theresa Russo, guest-starred in seasons one and three.
Jake T. Austin did not return as Max Russo. Instead, the series explained his absence by revealing that Max was living on a yacht after transforming the family sandwich shop into a multimillion-dollar business. It was certainly an efficient way to account for a missing sibling.
The uneven participation by the original Russo family appears to be at the center of DeLuise’s complaint. For longtime viewers, the family dynamic was a major part of the original show’s appeal, beyond the spells, magical competitions and reliably chaotic consequences.
DeLuise has remained close to the cast
His public criticism does not appear to reflect a wider break with his former co-stars. Away from the show, DeLuise has continued to spend time with members of the original cast and crew.
He attended Gomez’s September wedding to Benny Blanco and later posted photos from a February reunion with Gomez and Jennifer Stone, who played Alex’s best friend, Harper Finkle.
“Such a joyful night full of laughter, love, and the kind of fun that reminds you how good it feels to reconnect with family!” DeLuise wrote alongside the reunion photos. “The best reunion ever.”
That warmth makes his finale comment land less like a personal dispute and more like frustration over what the revival could have delivered. Reboots often depend on nostalgia, but nostalgia is usually attached to people rather than titles. DeLuise’s point, bluntly stated, is that bringing back more of the family might have given viewers a stronger reason to stay.
