Frankie Muniz sheds some light on details regarding the upcoming revival ofMalcolm in the Middle.Initially premiering in 2000, the show followed the gifted middle son, Muniz’s Malcolm, of a dysfunctional family. Tracking Malcom’s hardships and woes, the show was able to stand out from the usual fare of sitcoms with its dark comedy, absurd family dynamics, fourth-wall breaks, and its unconventional gags. Though ithad a conclusive ending back in 2006, Disney has green-lit an anticipated, albeit brief,Malcolm in the Middlerevival.
In an interview withScreenRantfor his upcoming AI thrillerRenner, Muniz shared a few details regarding the revival ofMalcolm in the Middle. Muniz said that the revival was originally pitched as a two-hour movie, but, for the sake of Disney+, it was turned into afour-episode series with each installment running 30 minutes long, telling one single storyline. Muniz then said there’s potential for more after, stating, “We’ll see what happens after that.“Read his full quote from the interview below:
I mean, it was originally, I think, pitched as a like a movie, as a feature, like a two hour movie. And for the sake of it being a Disney plus, it’s four 30 minute episodes, but it’s really one storyline, if that makes sense.You’re gonna see everybody and figure out where they’ve been and what they’re doing. And we leave it on a great note, you know, and then we’ll see what happens after that.
What This Means For The Malcolm In The Middle Revival
It’s A Very Short Series Revival
Plot details for the revival ofMalcom in the Middleso far say thatthe story will follow Malcom’s return to his chaotic family home for his parents' 40th-anniversary party. It’s also been revealed that Malcom has a daughter, though the role has yet to be cast. The premise presents the potential return of the whole family, though the only returning cast confirmed is Muniz,Bryan Cranston (who plays his father Hal), and Jane Kaczmarek (Lois).
With theMalcolm of the Middlerevival currently only about 120 minutes long, it is more of a feature-length film broken up into four parts. With this limited runtime, it seems unlikely that the revival will feature returns of some ofMalcolm in the Middle’s beloved supporting characters. However,there will be time to bring back the brothers and explore where they’ve been in the past 20 years. There arises a problem, though, as Christopher Kennedy Masterson (who played the eldest brother Francis) is the only onscreen brother still actively working as an actor.
Our Take On The New Malcolm In The Middle Reveals
I Want To See The Return Of All The Brothers
While Cranston and Kaczmarek’s characters provide a lot of comedy for viewers to sink their teeth into,the sibling dynamic between Malcolm and all his brothers was the highlight of the series. Their hijinks, proclivity for pranks, and the rare sweet moments, especially between Malcolm and his younger brother Dewey (Erik Per Sullivan), contributed to this compelling dynamic, which was often antagonistic.
However, I’m not sure if all the brothers are returning. Justin Berfield (Malcom’s older brother Reese) has been away from the spotlight since 2012, and Sullivan left acting altogether back in 2010, even skipping several cast reunions.I’m hopeful that the revival and the three confirmed returning actors' involvement will inspire Berfield and Sullivanto not only come back to the characters, but acting as well, if that’s what they want. Their decisions against doing so will be understandable, but their presence in the revival ofMalcolm in the Middlewill be warmly welcomed.
Malcolm in the Middle
Cast
Malcolm in the Middle tells the story of an average dysfunctional American family. When Malcolm, one of four children, learns that he possesses a genius-level intellect, his whole young world is turned upside down. Still desperately trying to fit in with his friends and family despite his extraordinary gifts, Malcolm finds that though his life might have changed, it’s still just as chaotic as ever.
