For millions of Disney Channel fans, the Hannah Montana 20th anniversary special was a chance to relive one of the network’s most beloved series. The retrospective celebrated two decades since the hit show first premiered, with star Miley Cyrus looking back on the cultural phenomenon that launched her career. But one familiar face was noticeably absent: Mitchel Musso.
The actor, who played Miley Stewart’s loyal best friend Oliver Oken throughout the series, has now revealed that he was invited to participate in the anniversary project—but ultimately decided to turn it down.
Speaking on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, Musso opened up about the decision, explaining that it wasn’t the invitation itself that gave him pause. Instead, he said the way the project was presented didn’t align with what he had hoped a Hannah Montana reunion would be.
“Of course they asked me [to be in it],” Mitchel said. “But, it wasn’t presented correctly [to me].”
Musso explained that returning to the world of Hannah Montana has been something he has thought about for years. After spending much of the past decade living outside Hollywood’s spotlight, the opportunity to revisit Oliver was something he viewed as deeply meaningful—but only if it happened in the right way.
“I’ve been waiting ten years,” he stressed. “The people, they say, 20. My break’s been 10. It’s too long of a wait to do it in a way that isn’t even close to, in my opinion, correct.”
Rather than producing a scripted reunion episode or bringing the original cast back together on set, Disney+ chose to mark the milestone with a retrospective documentary-style special. Hosted by Call Her Daddy‘s Alex Cooper, the programme featured Miley reflecting on the show’s legacy alongside appearances from celebrity fans, including Selena Gomez and Chappell Roan.
While the special celebrated the lasting impact of Hannah Montana, Musso admitted it wasn’t quite the reunion he had been imagining.
“The kid in me was banking on it, like ‘I can’t wait for us to all be on set again.’ And it just didn’t work out that way.”
Instead of recreating the magic of the original series, the anniversary looked back on its history through interviews and archival moments. For Musso, that approach simply wasn’t the same as stepping back into Oliver’s shoes.
“They just did it differently, and it is what it is,” Mitchel said. “It wasn’t the right thing. And I was busy doing something that was more important. But it would have been way more important if it would have just been an episode, or a movie. Of course that would have been more important. That would have been everything. I would have dropped everything — eat, breathe, sleep it.”
His comments made it clear that the door isn’t closed on returning to the franchise. In fact, Musso says he’d happily sign on if the opportunity involved an actual continuation of the series rather than a retrospective celebration.
“Do an episode,” he added. “Do the show. The set’s still there.”
For longtime viewers, Oliver was one of the defining characters of Hannah Montana. His energetic personality, unwavering friendship with Miley and Lilly, and countless comedic moments helped make him a fan favourite across the show’s four-season run. It’s understandable, then, that Musso envisioned an anniversary celebration that reunited the original cast in character rather than reflecting on the series from afar.
The actor even joked that he’d be more than willing to fully transform back into Oliver if the chance came along.
“I need a wig,” he joked. “I’d want the hair, which is fine. I’ve worn [wigs] plenty of times on Disney. I’ve worn plenty of wigs. … I’d want to feel the part again. I’d want to put on that little polo again, and wear the … plaid shorts with the goofy shoes.”
It’s a light-hearted comment, but it also highlights how much nostalgia Musso associates with the role. More than simply making an appearance, he wanted to recreate the full experience of playing Oliver again—from the signature hairstyle to the colourful wardrobe fans instantly recognise.
Musso wasn’t the only original cast member missing from the anniversary special. Emily Osment, who portrayed Miley’s best friend Lilly Truscott throughout the series, also did not appear.
Despite that, the anniversary reignited conversations among fans about the possibility of a true on-screen reunion. Musso’s latest comments are likely to add even more fuel to those hopes. While the retrospective celebrated Hannah Montana‘s legacy, his remarks suggest he’d much rather see the franchise return with a scripted episode or even a feature-length project that reunites the original cast.
Whether that happens remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: if Disney ever decides to bring Oliver Oken back to the halls of Seaview High, Musso has already made his position known. He isn’t interested in simply reminiscing about the past—he wants to step back into it.
