Bryan Cranston is now explaining why Erik Per Sullivan, who portrayed the adored youngest brother Dewey on Malcolm in the Middle, is not coming back for the new Disney+ sequel series.
Cranston said on the Fly on the Wall podcast with Dana Carvey and David Spade that he personally called Sullivan to ask him to come back.
“Hey, we got the show, it’s coming back!” I said to Erik. “Oh, that’s great!” he exclaims. “We’re really excited to have you on board,” I said. His words are “Oh, no, no.” That’s not what I want to do. Then Cranston said, “But I’m happy for you guys.”
Cranston says that Sullivan has moved a long way from Hollywood. Cranston stated, “He’s really, really smart.In fact, he’s attending Harvard. I believe he is currently pursuing his master’s degree there. He said, “Oh God, no, I haven’t acted since I was nine or so.” I’m not interested in it.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark will now portray the part of Dewey.
The resurrection brings back the original cast of Malcolm in the Middle, including Frankie Muniz as Malcolm. He is now balancing his career as a professional NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series driver with his return to the screen. The producers supposedly worked around his racing schedule, and filming has recently finished.
The hit sitcom from the early 2000s followed Malcolm, a smart youngster who lived in a very funny and messy house. Cranston played Hal, the father of four who means well but is often too busy. Now all grown up.
Cranston stated, “It’s amazing to see these boys, who used to be my kids on the show, all grown up and with kids of their own.”
Cranston added that he was the driving force behind the revival of the program. “It’s something I’ve been pushing for the last ten years,” he remarked. I simply kept bothering [series creator Linwood Boomer] until one day he said, “I’ve got an idea.” I said, “Good.”
Even though the original Dewey won’t be there, fans have been waiting a long time for the reincarnation.