Why Did Jack Messina Leave Manifest? Why is Jack Messina not Returning to Manifest? Who Plays Young Cal in Manifest?

Who is Jack Messina?

Jack Messina, born on September 2, 2007, is a talented teenage actor hailing from America. He has gained recognition primarily for his remarkable portrayal of Cal Stone in the NBC/Netflix sci-fi drama series, Manifest. Initiating his acting journey at the tender age of seven, Messina honed his skills by attending classes at the Actors Garage situated in Manhasset, Long Island, which lies just east of the vibrant city of New York.

In addition to his notable role in Manifest, he also made a memorable appearance alongside Alex Borstein, playing the role of the younger son in an Italian immigrant family, on the critically acclaimed and Emmy award-winning show, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. From 2018 to 2021, Messina took on a significant role as Cal Stone in NBC’s captivating science fiction drama, Manifest.

His character depicted a young boy grappling with terminal leukemia and found himself among the passengers of the enigmatic returning airplane, Flight 828. Displaying immense talent and dedication, he portrayed this role throughout the first three seasons, amounting to a total of 43 episodes. However, he did not reprise his character for the fourth season.

Why did Jack Messina Leave Manifest? 

In an informative tone, Messina’s departure from Manifest came after his portrayal of Cal Stone as a series regular in the show’s first three seasons. However, when the fourth season of Manifest aired, fans were quick to notice that the young actor was no longer part of the Netflix series, and the character of Cal Stone was now being portrayed by another actor named Ty Doran.

On November 18, 2021, Messina, who weighs approximately 35 kg, shared a memory from a previous season with the cast and crew, expressing his good wishes to Jeff Rake and everyone involved with #manifest for Season 4. In a June 2021 post, he expressed his appreciation to Manifest’s producer, Jeff Rake, thanking him for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible show.

Messina mentioned how Manifest brought together a close-knit group of cast and crew members who became like a family, and how he had learned a great deal from them. The reason behind Messina’s departure from Manifest stems from the showrunners and writers’ decision to account for the five years that Cal Stone lost after boarding Flight 828. Consequently, the character of Cal Stone had significantly aged, rendering him no longer suitable for portrayal by the same actor, namely Messina.

Why is Jack Messina not Returning to Manifest? 

In an informative tone, it appears that Jack Messina will not be returning to Manifest for its fourth season. Despite his active involvement in the movement to save the show from cancellation during the summer, it became evident that he would not be part of season 4. As the rest of the Manifest cast commenced filming for the new season on November 18, Messina shared a heartfelt memory from a previous season.

He took to Twitter to post a photo of the cast and crew, seemingly captured during a celebration for the completion of season 3. In the caption accompanying the photo, Messina expressed his good wishes to Jeff Rake and everyone involved with #manifest for the upcoming season 4, stating, “I want to wish @jeff_rake and everyone at #manifest the best of luck on season 4.”

Unfortunately, for fans of his character, young Cal, this message seemed to indicate that Messina would not be joining the cast for the filming of the final season.

Who Plays Young Cal in Manifest?

The answer lies with Jack Messina, an accomplished American actor renowned for his portrayal of “Cal” throughout three seasons of the show, spanning from 2018 to 2021. Not only did Jack showcase his talent in Manifest, but he also made a notable appearance in an episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel in 2018, where he had the opportunity to work alongside the Emmy-winning actress Alex Borstein.

Additionally, he successfully took on a supporting role in the feature film Over/Under in 2021 and even portrayed the lead character in the film short titled It’s Been A While in 2022. Jack’s acting journey began at the young age of 7 when he started attending classes at a local acting studio. His natural talent and dedication led him to quickly land commercials, eventually leading to his breakthrough role as a series regular on Manifest when he was just 10 years old.

Currently residing in New York with his parents and two older brothers, Jack not only focuses on his acting career but also attends high school. Outside of his professional pursuits, he finds enjoyment in skiing, parkour, playing the drums, and engaging in volleyball.

Is Jack Messina in Season 4 of Manifest?

Although Jack Messina does not appear as a regular cast member in Season 4 of Manifest, he did make a guest appearance in the third episode titled “High Flight.” In this episode, Messina’s presence is felt through a flashback sequence that sheds light on Cal’s whereabouts before his unexplained return, five-and-a-half years older.

The news of Messina’s departure from Manifest came as a surprise to many devoted fans. Having been a series regular for the first three seasons, his character, Cal, had garnered a significant fan following. However, Messina expressed his desire to explore other opportunities, leading to his decision to part ways with the show.

Stepping into the role of Cal is Ty Doran, a 12-year-old actor who bears a striking resemblance to Messina. Doran has embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm and considers it an honor to portray the character of Cal. He is excited to carry forward the storyline of Cal and continue to captivate the audience with his performance.

Jack Messina Ethnicity 

Curiously, let’s delve into the ethnic background of Jack Messina. Born on September 2, 2007, in New York City, United States of America, Jack is currently 14 years old as of 2024. While limited information is available about his parents, it is known that he has two older brothers. Jack holds American citizenship.

Jack also belongs to the Caucasian ethnic group. In terms of religious affiliation, he identifies as a Christian. Furthermore, according to astrology, Jack falls under the zodiac sign of Virgo.

Who Plays Cal in Manifest Season 4?

The character of Cal Stone is portrayed by Ty Doran, bringing life to the story of a young preteen who is battling cancer and embarks on one final vacation with his family. Following the flight, Cal experiences a remarkable turn of events as his cancer goes into remission, making him the passenger with the closest connection to the mysterious “callings.”

Due to this inexplicable connection, Cal becomes a vital source of crucial information, often relaying important messages. However, his unique status also makes him the target of conspiracy theories and attempts on his life by a group known as the Xers.