‘I Could Barely Even Speak’: The Story Behind Frankie Muniz’s ‘Craziest’ Memory From Filming Malcolm In The Middle

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As a movie buff with a soft spot for nostalgia, I must say that Frankie Muniz’s recollection of his most memorable moment from filming Malcolm in the Middle truly resonates with me. Having grown up alongside this iconic sitcom, it’s heartwarming to see the actor reflect on the emotional depth of the series finale and the profound impact the show had on him personally.

It’s been more than two decades since “Malcolm in the Middle” first aired on Fox in 2000, and lead actor Frankie Muniz found it effortless to reminisce about his wildest filming experience during the sitcom’s seven-season run. With news surfacing that Muniz, along with Bryan Cranston, Jane Kaczmarek, and others, will return to their roles for a reunion, this timing couldn’t be more perfect in relation to the 2025 TV lineup. When asked about his most cherished memory from the show that catapulted him to stardom during the early 2000s, Muniz traced it back to the very last episode.

The final episode of “Malcolm in the Middle” (available for streaming with a Hulu subscription) was broadcast on Fox in 2006, but it felt as if it had just happened for Frankie Muniz when he reminisced about his cherished memories from that era during his conversation with Michael Rosenbaum on the “Inside of You” podcast.

Favorite memory honestly was the last shot that we filmed and only because — I remember being sad that the show was ending, right? But also excited, because I was ready for whatever the future was gonna have to hold. And, at that point, I knew I was going to go racing and all that.

Unlike Bryan Cranston, who transitioned from “Malcolm in the Middle” to “Breaking Bad,” Frankie Muniz chose to step away from Hollywood and not take on another series in a regular role. He later revealed his reasons for moving from acting to racing, and spoke candidly about what he appreciates more about NASCAR driving compared to acting, just before the announcement of the “Malcolm” revival that can be streamed with a Disney+ subscription. Muniz continued:

It didn’t really hit me during the last episode, until the last shot they saved for me. It was a close-up of me for this crazy scene, where we’re all covered in this shit. I don’t know how to explain it. And [Malcolm] is mad at [his] parents, because they made [him] turn down this million-dollar job. Because they’re like, ‘You’re gonna go to college. They’re gonna struggle. You’re gonna struggle to pay the bills. You’re gonna work three jobs, and you’re gonna do this. You’re gonna learn what it’s like to be a true middle-class person, and you’re gonna be the President of the United States.’ And it was a super emotional scene, we’d been filming it all day.

In the original script, the crew held back a crucial scene for Frankie Muniz’s farewell as Malcolm. At that moment, it appeared to be his last scene, around two decades before the announcement of the Disney+ limited series. Regardless of his seven-season experience playing the main character, that final scene still proved challenging for him. He went on to say:

On the filming location, as my turn for a close-up approached and found myself surrounded by around 500 people – cast and crew who had been part of the production for seven years – they yelled ‘Action!’ I was almost unable to speak. Instead of multiple takes, we did just one. The intensity of the emotion was so profound that it was decided to be the final take. ‘Print it. Check the gate. That’s a wrap.’ It was an incredibly emotional moment for me because, having spent more time with this group than my actual family, the end felt like the sudden loss of a cherished family after seven years together. The memory remains a unique blend of joy and sadness.

Muniz’s work, particularly on the finale of “Malcolm and the Middle,” is nothing short of impressive, as he managed to capture the final shot of the show in one take at the age of 39. Remarkably, Muniz was just 15 when he first rose to sitcom fame on Fox during the early 2000s with the premiere of the show. Despite the challenging and eccentric moments they encountered on set, Muniz seems to cherish these memories, and his enthusiasm for reprising his iconic character is evident in the video announcement for the revival. Here’s a look:

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The beloved TV series “Malcolm in the Middle” is making a comeback as a four-part limited series, which will be available on Disney+. Although a release date hasn’t been set yet, here’s what we know so far: Malcolm finds himself drawn back into the turmoil when Hal and Lois invite him to their 40th wedding anniversary party, and his daughter is included too! It seems like trouble is brewing, and it’s exciting to speculate that other family members might make an appearance as well.

At the moment, you have the chance to rewatch all seven seasons of the popular show “Malcolm in the Middle” which is currently streaming on Hulu. During its peak, this sitcom was a significant part of Fox’s Sunday night schedule, airing after “The Simpsons” and before “The X-Files” early in its run.

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2024-12-26 18:38