Fan-Favorite Star Declines ‘Buckets of Money’ for Reboot Return

The upcoming “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair” reboot is moving forward without original cast member Erik Per Sullivan, who reportedly turned down a significant financial offer to reprise his role as Dewey.

Sullivan, 34, portrayed Malcolm’s younger brother throughout the original sitcom, which aired from 2000 to 2006.

His Former Co-Star Revealed What He Is Currently Up To

In an interview with The Guardian, the cast dished on Sullivan not returning. 

“He’s studying Dickens and is an incredible student,” Jane Kaczmarek, his former co-star, revealed to the outlet. “They offered him buckets of money to come back, and he just said, ‘No thank you.’”

Since leaving the screen after his last acting role in 2010, Sullivan has largely stayed out of the public eye.

He is now pursuing a master’s degree in Victorian literature at Harvard University, dedicating his time to his studies.

Co-star Frankie Muniz previously addressed Sullivan’s absence, noting that the cast fully respected his decision. “He made the decision that he didn’t want to get back into it — which we completely respect,” Muniz said while speaking with the New York Post back in November 2025.

He added that Sullivan had given his approval for the role to be recast. “We had his blessing from day one to have the role be in the show and recast it.”

Actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark has officially been cast to take on the role of Dewey for the Disney+ revival.

All About the Reboot

The reboot, titled “Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair,” returns around two decades after the original series ended.

The show follows Malcolm, now grown up and a parent, navigating life with his daughter, Leah (played by Keeley Karsten). 

The series continues to explore the famously dysfunctional family dynamics fans have long loved.

Muniz reflected on returning to the character, describing the experience as both nostalgic and fulfilling. “It was the first time in my entire life that, when I was done filming the reboot, I was happy to call myself an actor,” he told PEOPLE in December 2025.

He added, “I’ve always been like, ‘Oh yeah, I act, but I also do these other things too.’ It was just really fun and a really cool experience, so I’m hoping that everyone loves it for sure.”

Despite Sullivan’s absence, the reboot aims to honor the spirit of the original series while introducing a new generation of fans to the famously quirky and chaotic family.

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