Bryan Cranston Says Frankie Muniz ‘Could’ve Ended Up with Shia LaBeouf’s Life’ After Learning Actor Passed on“ Holes” Role

Meredith WilshereFri, April 17, 2026 at 9:00 PM UTC

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Frankie MunizCredit: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty -

Frankie Muniz turned down a role in Holes to star in Agent Cody Banks despite pressure to choose the former

Muniz reflects on how starring in Holes might have changed his career and led to being taken more seriously

Bryan Cranston noted that Muniz could've "ended up with" Shia LaBeouf’s life

Frankie Muniz almost starred in Holes and admitted to his Malcolm in the Middle dad, Bryan Cranston, that he still wonders what his life and career would have looked like if he hadn't passed on the opportunity.

In an interview with Esquire alongside Cranston, Muniz explained that he was supposed to play Stanley Yelnats in the movie, but ultimately decided to go in a different direction.

“I was signed to be in the movie Holes, and it was all 100% like, they're about to start filming, but then [Agent] Cody Banks was greenlit," Muniz, 40, explained. "They were like, ‘Which one do you want to do?’ ”

Frankie Muniz and Hilary DuffCredit: Frazer by Harrison/Getty

He shared that he “immediately picked Agent Cody Banks.”

“But I remember everybody, kind of really pushing me to do Holes, just because of the story, and it's a little more dramatic, and you know," he explained. "Shia LaBeouf ended up doing it, which I think kind of really catapulted his movie career."

Agent Cody Banks starred Muniz alongside Hilary Duff, Andrew Francis, Angie Harmon and Keith David. The 2003 movie focused on Muniz as a teenage CIA agent balancing being in school and saving the world. The sequel, Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London, came out in 2005.

Holes, based on the 1998 book by Louis Sachar, also came out in 2003, and the Andrew Davis-directed movie starred LaBeouf, Sigourney Weaver, Jon Voight, Patricia Arquette and Eartha Kitt, to name a few.

The role launched LaBeouf to stardom, later landing roles in Transformers, Fury and more.

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“That's one that quickly comes to mind that I go like, 'I wonder what my career or my life would have been, right? Like, what could have come from it, or would I have been taken more seriously as an actor?'” Muniz pondered.

Frankie Muniz and Bryan Cranston in 2003.Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

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Cranston, 70, however, chimed in to note that things might not have ended up how he envisioned.

“You could have ended up with Shia LeBouef’s life,” he said sarcastically, mimicking the sound of falling.

“Keep that one in. Shia, get some help," Cranston added.

Shia LaBeoufCredit: Rich Fury/Getty

Reps for LaBeouf did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

LaBeouf, 39, has faced a series of legal woes over the last few years. Most recently, the actor was arrested after an alleged altercation during a Mardi Gras celebration on Feb. 17 in New Orleans and charged with two counts of simple battery. One of the alleged victims told PEOPLE that LaBeouf was yelling homophobic slurs and "lunging" at patrons.

The Transformers star was arrested and charged with an additional misdemeanor count of simple battery on Feb. 28, per the and The Guardian. He was ordered to enroll in substance abuse treatment, undergo drug testing and post a $100,000 bond as conditions of his release.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”