Frankie Muniz's strange encounter with Hilary Duff's 'intense' mother sparked decades of silence

Teen actor turned race car driver Frankie Muniz has revealed the behind-the-scenes trigger that has kept him and Hilary Duff silent for more than two decades. In a recent appearance on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, the Malcolm in the middle The star said their friendship ended after tensions arose in the 2003 film, allegedly caused by Duff’s mother. He shared the story of friendship, a twist in casting, and a scene mom dynamic that ultimately drove a wedge between him and Duff.

Frankie Muniz on his friendship with Hilary Duff

Muniz recalled that he and Duff were “very, very good friends” when they were young actors in Los Angeles. “Hilary was one of my first friends when I moved to Los Angeles,” she said, noting that they bonded when she appeared on her show. Lizzie McGuire and they moved in similar circles of child stars. At that time, he starred Malcolm in the middleand was becoming a Disney Channel star. The fallout began during pre-production of his 2003 film, Agent Cody Banks. Muniz says he told Duff’s mother, Susan, that he would be filming the movie and playing a sort of youthful ‘James Bond’ role.

According to Muniz, Susan then asked if the film had already cast a female lead. At that time, production was looking smallville Kristin Kreuk, for the role of ‘Natalie Connors’, and Muniz assumed she would be cast. She then says that the next day she discovered that Duff had been cast in the lead female role without being consulted. “You signed the contract last night,” Susan allegedly told him, a move that took Muñiz by surprise. Although the casting didn’t bother him because it was Hilary, it was the exclusion process and lack of transparency that “pissed me off,” he admitted. He described Susan as “the epitome of a scene mom…she was intense. Hilary was great, we had an amazing relationship, but her mom was super intense.”

Muniz said filming went smoothly overall, but tension with Duff’s mother overshadowed the experience. Muniz revealed that he hasn’t spoken a word to Duff since the last day of filming, more than 22 years ago. “I’ve never spoken to Hilary since the last day of filming. I haven’t said a word to her since,” he said. However, he regretted allowing the affair to derail a friendship that had lasted “for so long.” He noted that he would “love to reach out to her” and even have a conversation about what happened, believing that she may not even know about the circumstances that offended him.

Frankie Muniz and Hilary Duff have moved on in their lives

Despite the pain of what happened, both stars have moved on: Duff recently announced new music after a long hiatus, continuing her acting and music career, most recently starring in the series. How I met your father. Frankie Muniz has successfully transitioned from acting to professional careers. After years in Hollywood, the Malcolm in the middle The star now competes in the ARCA Menards NASCAR Series.

What do you think about the recent revelation about Frankie Muniz?