Celebrity3 min(s) read
Published 15:05 17 Apr 2026 GMT
Bryan Cranston didn’t hold back when reacting to Frankie Muniz opening up about one of his biggest career what-ifs. The former Malcolm in the Middle co-stars reunited for an Esquire video, where Muniz reflected on turning down a major role in Holes.
Muniz revealed he was originally set to star as Stanley Yelnats in the 2003 film before choosing to lead Agent Cody Banks instead. The decision still lingers in his mind years later, especially given how the film helped boost Shia LaBeouf into the spotlight.
As Muniz revisited the moment, Cranston jumped in with a sharp and sarcastic response aimed directly at LaBeouf, adding a punchy twist to the conversation.
“I was signed to be in the movie ‘Holes,’ and it was 100% about to start filming, and then ‘Cody Banks’ was greenlit. They were like, ‘Which one do you want to do?'” Muniz recalled. “I immediately picked ‘Agent Cody Banks,’ but I remember everyone pushing me to do ‘Holes’ because of the story, and it’s a little more dramatic. Shia LaBeouf ended up doing it, and it kind of catapulted his movie career.”
The actor admitted he still thinks about how things might have played out differently.
“I wonder what my career or life would’ve been [had I done ‘Holes’ instead],” Muniz added. “What could’ve come with it? Would I have been taken more seriously as an actor?”
Cranston didn’t hesitate to weigh in, taking a swipe at LaBeouf’s public struggles.
“You could’ve had Shia LaBeouf’s life,” Cranston chimed in with a sarcastic scoff and a whistle. “Keep that one in. Shia, get some help!”
LaBeouf’s career has slowed in recent years following a series of legal issues and controversies. These include a lawsuit filed by FKA Twigs alleging sexual battery, assault and infliction of emotional distress, which was settled in July of last year.
Nevertheless, Cranston's comments sharply divided the internet, with one Reddit user responding: “Oh, this was way more direct than I was expecting." Meanwhile, another person remarked on the “way he tells them to leave this part in.” “He's not wrong,” a third chimed in.
The actor has also faced arrests and court-ordered rehab in the past. Most recently, he was arrested in New Orleans after getting into a fight during Mardi Gras.
Speaking after the incident, LaBeouf addressed his behavior in a candid interview with Andrew Callaghan’s Channel 5.
“My behavior… I gotta deal with that. Does that mean I gotta go to rehab again? I’m just not into it, bro,” he said. “I don’t think my answers are there. I don’t. I really, genuinely, don’t. If I genuinely did, I’d go. I don’t think I have a drinking problem… I think I have a different problem, and I’m gonna address it. I think I have a small man complex. I think it’s something that has to do with anger and ego more so than my drinking, but that’s where I’m at now on my journey, and I’m trying to navigate it. I’ll figure it out.”
While Muniz continues to wonder about the road not taken, Cranston made it clear he is not convinced it would have been the better path.
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