WithMalcolm and the Middleseeing the return of the majority of the sitcom’s cast, director Ken Kwapis has teased that fans won’t be disappointed by Bryan Cranston’s return to a lighter, more comedic role. For seven seasons, the FOX sitcom followed Frankie Muniz’s titular child prodigy as he contended with the difficulties of school and growing up in a struggling home with his dysfunctional family. Alongside Cranston and Muniz, theMalcolm in the Middlerevivalwill see the return of Jane Kaczmarek, Justin Berfield, and Christopher Kennedy Masterson, alongside newcomers Caleb Ellsworth-Clark, Anthony Timpano, and Vaughan Murrae.
As Kwapis sat down withScreenRantto discuss the 20th anniversary ofThe Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants, the director discussed the upcomingMalcolm in the Middlerevival. Alongside affirming that filming had wrapped on the four-episode limited series revival, the director stated that one of the things that stood out to him most was seeing the cast slip into their older roles,teasing Cranston’s reprisal of Hal, and that he got to “exercise his comedic muscles again.“Check out Kwapis' full response below:
ScreenRant: On top of that, you’re also doing the revival ofMalcolm in the Middle, which was my daily routine. What has been the key to cracking that story back open two decades later?
Kwapis:You know what? I just finished directing the Malcolm in the Middle revival. It’s a four-episode limited series featuring the entire original cast, and it was kind of strange and remarkable to reconnect with those actors and see them slip effortlessly back into those roles.
It was also fun for Bryan Cranston, who has done so much great drama over the past 20 years, to exercise his comedic muscles again. Whether it’s comedy or drama, he couldn’t be more gifted. He’s one of our greatest actors. I directed 19 episodes of Malcolm in the Middle, and among many things, I got to direct Bryan doing some of the most insane physical comedy. He’s just so adept at it.
ScreenRant: There’s an episode where he is getting ready in the morning, and he puts his razor in his mouth and his toothbrush on his face. It just cracks me up every time I see it.
Kwapis:Again, I’m going to be mum about this one, except to say you’re going to be happy.
What Kwapis' Cranston Tease Reveals About Malcolm in the Middle’s Revival
The Actor’s Sitcom Character Is A Far Cry From His Later Roles
Throughout the late 2000’s and 2010’s,Cranston has built up a reputation as an intense actor, most notably for his portrayal of Walter White across theBreaking Baduniverse. As such, these characters are a far cry from the jumpy, immature, but good-hearted father ofMalcolm in the Middle, where Hal was often left scrambling for control amidst both his and his family’s chaotic adventures. Despite this, there is a side to Hal that may feel familiar to those who witnessedCranston’s later roles.
When it comes to his family, there is little that Hal wouldn’t do to keep them happy. He turned his back on his family for their treatment of Lois (Kaczmarek) and even stood up to and successfully blackmailed Lois' neglectful parents when they put his family’s lives at risk. This balance of frightening determination but haplessness is what made Hal a lovable character, but fans will be glad to hear thatthe revival will allow Cranston to tap into the lighter side of things.
Our Thoughts On Kwapis' Malcolm in the Middle Cranston Tease
The Series Will Be A Return To The Series' Highs
WithMalcolm in the Middle’srevival being a four-episode limited series, it is unclear whether fans will have all their lingering questions satisfied. While the promise of the identity of the final child of the family being explored will draw people in, it remains to be seen whether the rest of the cast’s new tales will be explored beyondMalcolm’s fate beyond the original show, who is confirmed to have a family consisting of his girlfriend Tristan (Kiana Madeira) and daughter Leah (Keely Karsten). However, Kwapis' promise of Cranston’s return to comedy does suggest that the revival will capture what made the family so beloved in the first place.
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.
