The former teen stars ended their friendship following an awkward casting refusal involving Duff’s mother ahead of their film Agent Cody Banks.

From Friends to Silence

October 28, 2025: Frankie Muniz (39) recently shared that he and Hilary Duff haven’t spoken since the wrap of Agent Cody Banks in 2003—and he says it all comes down to the role her mom pursued for her without his input.

Muniz recalled meeting Duff when they were both young stars in Los Angeles and becoming “really, really good friends.” But the connection shifted when Duff’s mother, Susan Duff, became involved during casting for the film that starred Muniz.

Image Credit: Diyah Pera/Mgm/Kobal/Shutterstock

The Casting Catalyst

According to Muniz’s account on The Joe Vulpis Podcast, while he was under contract to have approval over his co-star for the female lead in Agent Cody Banks, Duff’s mother showed up on the set of Duff’s show and asked if the female lead role could go to her daughter. The next day, Duff was reportedly cast—without Muniz having been consulted.

He said the decision did not sit right with him—not because of Duff personally, but because it bypassed his contractual influence and involved the mother’s aggressive intervention. He admitted it caused “awkwardness” during filming and ultimately led to the end of their friendship: “I’ve never talked to Hilary since the last day of filming. Not one word,” he said.

Regret and Looking Back

Muniz expressed regret that the conflict got in the way of a friendship that he says was once strong. He said he would welcome the chance to reconnect, clarifying that his issue was never with Duff herself but with the process and her mother’s involvement.

He also acknowledged that poor communication on his part may have contributed, and he’s admitted he’s “bad at communication” and wants to be better about maintaining old friendships.

Why This Resonates

The story offers a rare peek behind the curtain of child-star dynamics, showing how early Hollywood success and its backstage machinations can impact personal relationships.

It underscores how often the behind-the-scenes control and parental involvement in early acting careers can create tensions—especially when contracts, power and expectations collide.

For fans of early 2000s pop culture, it brings a sense of closure and explanation to a long-standing question about why two teen favourites drifted apart.