Erik per Sullivan Turned Down a Huge Payday for the ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ Reboot

In just a few days, the cast of Malcom in the Middle will return for a limited reboot. Fans of the show won’t be seeing Erik Per Sullivan when it returns, though. Sullivan, who portrayed beloved character Dewey, has been replaced in Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair. It’s nothing personal, though. Sullivan had the chance to be a part of the series. He opted out, turning down a massive payday in the process. Still,  Bryan Cranston, who played his on-screen dad, insists the former child star thinks the entire thing is “fantastic.”

Jane Kaczmarek says Erik Per Sullivan turned down a huge payday

Malcolm in the Middle fans were initially bummed when they learned Erik Per Sullivan would not reprise his role as Dewey in the upcoming reboot. While the network has found a solid replacement in Caleb Elsworth-Clark, the absence of Sullivan does feel a bit sad. There is one person who isn’t sad about it, though. Sullivan himself is happy with the development. According to his on-screen mom, Jane Kaczmarek, Sullivan happily and willingly turned down a quick payday to stay out of the spotlight. The former child actor declined the chance to return for a limited Malcom in the Middle reboot, even though the production team was offering him “buckets of money.”

Kaczmarek explained the reason behind his decision. She noted that Sullivan stepped away from acting to focus on his studies. That’s apparently what he plans to continue doing. Sullivan, whose last acting credit was earned more than 15 years ago, is currently pursuing his master’s degree at Harvard. His main focus has been his academic career since he walked away from Hollywood, and he doesn’t seem the least bit unsure of that decision. He first attended the University of Southern California. He’s now pursuing a degree in literature at Harvard.

Bryan Cranston reveals Erik Per Sullivan is happy the ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ reboot is being made, though

While Erik Per Sullivan doesn’t wish to return to Hollywood to reprise his role as Dewey on Malcolm in the Middle, he’s still happy that a reboot is being made. Bryan Cranston, who played Sullivan’s on-screen dad for all six seasons of the series, revealed how Sullivan feels about the reboot, despite opting not to appear.

During an appearance on the Fly on the Wall podcast, Cranston recalled checking in with Erik Per Sullivan when Disney+ greenlit the reboot. He remembered telling him that they had gotten the show. Cranston said Sullivan seemed thrilled. Still, when he pushed further, telling his on-screen son he was excited to see him on set, he was met with good-natured pushback. Cranston said Sullivan told him, “Oh, no, no, I don’t want to do it. But it’s fantastic.”

Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on April 10. The reboot is slated for four episodes.