Frankie Muniz recently opened up about the end of his friendship with Hilary Duff, which took place after they worked together on the 2003 film “Agent Cody Banks.” During an episode of “The Joe Vulpis Podcast” on September 2, Muniz reminisced about how he and Duff became friends when he first moved to Los Angeles to film “Malcolm in the Middle.” Their bond deepened through mutual friends living in an apartment complex popular among child actors.
Muniz described his initial friendship with Duff, stating she was one of his first acquaintances in LA. However, things changed when he encountered her mother, Susan, whom he labeled “the epitome of a stage mom.” Muniz recalled feeling uneasy around her intensity, which starkly contrasted with his own mother’s more laid-back demeanor.
Their dynamic shifted notably when Duff invited Muniz to appear on her Disney series “Lizzie McGuire.” While on set, Muniz experienced the duality of their relationship — he enjoyed his friendship with Duff but felt stifled by her mother’s assertiveness. Muniz shared an anecdote where Susan inquired about his summer plans, to which he mentioned he was filming a project called “Agent Cody Banks.” He was caught off guard when Susan revealed that Duff would also be in the film, a role he previously assumed would go to actress Kristin Kreuk.
Despite Muniz initially having concerns, he recalled the surprise of learning that the casting decision had been finalized without his input. This revelation left Muniz unsettled, leading to a strain on his friendship with Duff. He admitted that he ultimately stopped communicating with her altogether after filming concluded, expressing regret over the collapse of what had been a meaningful friendship.
Despite the disappointment, Muniz conveyed that he cherished the time spent filming “Agent Cody Banks” and expressed a desire to reconnect with Duff, emphasizing that he would like to discuss their past experiences. He acknowledged that the intensity of the situation had overshadowed their friendship, but he hopes to catch up with her now that both have moved past those earlier challenges.
Duff’s representation did not comment on the matter. There is an underlying feeling of nostalgia in Muniz’s reflections, hinting that both actors have grown from their early experiences and might be open to rekindling their friendship.