Let's be real. Nobody expected a sequel to the 2002 Frankie Muniz classic Big Fat Liar fifteen years after the original hit theaters. It felt like a fever dream when Universal 1440 Entertainment—the wing of the studio that handles direct-to-video releases—announced they were reviving the franchise. But in 2017, we got it. A new kid, a new pathological lying habit, and a brand-new high-tech villain.
The Bigger Fatter Liar cast had big shoes to fill. Following up on the chemistry between Muniz and Amanda Bynes is a tall order for any group of young actors. Yet, this 2017 reboot/sequel tried its best to capture that "kid vs. corporate adult" magic. It’s one of those movies you probably saw on Netflix on a rainy Tuesday and thought, "Hey, isn't that the kid from that one show?"
Most people come to this movie looking for nostalgia. What they find instead is a cast of familiar faces from the 2010s sitcom era.
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The Lead Duo: Ricky Garcia and Jodelle Ferland
The movie hinges entirely on Kevin Shepard. He's the kid who lies to get out of everything, including a massive history project. Ricky Garcia took on this role. At the time, Garcia was a massive deal for the Disney Channel demographic. He was one-third of the boy band Forever in Your Mind and was fresh off his stint as Naldo on Best Friends Whenever.
Garcia plays Kevin with a certain hyperactive energy. It's different from the cool, calculated vibe Frankie Muniz had. Garcia’s Kevin feels more like a kid who is genuinely drowning in his own stories. He’s charismatic, sure, but you can see the wheels turning.
Then there’s Becca. Jodelle Ferland plays the "voice of reason" best friend. Now, if you’re a horror fan, seeing Ferland in a lighthearted comedy like this is jarring. She was the terrifying little girl in Silent Hill and Bree Tanner in the Twilight saga. Honestly, she’s arguably the most seasoned actor in the entire Bigger Fatter Liar cast. Her role as Becca is grounded, providing a necessary foil to Kevin’s nonsense. She isn't just a sidekick; she’s the one actually doing the technical heavy lifting while Kevin schemes.
It's a weird pairing on paper. A Disney pop star and a veteran scream queen. But it works because Ferland knows how to play the "straight man" to Garcia's "funny man."
The Villain: Barry Bostwick as Larry Wolf
You can't have a Liar movie without a villain you desperately want to see turn blue. In the original, Paul Giamatti set the bar impossibly high as Marty Wolf. In the 2017 version, they kept the last name—Larry Wolf—and cast the legendary Barry Bostwick.
Bostwick is an icon. We’re talking about Brad Majors from The Rocky Horror Picture Show. We’re talking about the Mayor from Spin City. Seeing him play a tech-mogul-turned-thief who steals a kid’s video game idea is... a lot.
Unlike Giamatti’s Marty, who was a high-strung Hollywood producer, Bostwick’s Larry Wolf is a pretentious, turtleneck-wearing tech executive. He’s basically a parody of a Silicon Valley "disruptor." He steals Kevin’s idea for a game called Bigger Fatter Liar and claims it as his own. Bostwick leans into the silliness. He’s theatrical. He’s mean in that cartoonish way that makes his eventual downfall—involving a lot of slime and public humiliation—deeply satisfying for the target audience.
Supporting Players You Might Recognize
The Bigger Fatter Liar cast isn't just three people, though it feels like a small production. There are some gems in the supporting roles.
- Andrew Herr: He plays Sneeze. You probably know him as "Jonesy" from the cult hit Letterkenny. Seeing him move from the sharp, adult wit of Canadian comedy to a PG physical comedy role is pretty wild. He brings a physical presence that the movie needs.
- Kevin O'Grady: Playing the dad. O'Grady is one of those "that guy" actors. You’ve seen him in Fargo, Supernatural, and The Killing. He plays the disappointed-but-loving father role with a level of sincerity that feels like it belongs in a slightly more serious movie.
- Fiona Vroom: She plays Ginger. Vroom is a prolific character actress who has appeared in everything from The Man in the High Castle to Power Rangers.
The Production Context: Why This Movie Exists
It’s important to understand where this movie sits in the industry. It wasn't a theatrical blockbuster. It was a "soft reboot." Universal has a long history of doing this with titles like Bring It On or American Pie. They take a recognizable brand, cast rising TV stars, and release it directly to digital and DVD.
The budget was significantly lower than the 2002 version. You can see it in the sets and the CGI. However, the cast carries the weight. Directing duties fell to Ron Oliver, a man who knows his way around a TV movie. He’s directed dozens of Hallmark films and episodes of Are You Afraid of the Dark?. He knows how to pace a comedy for kids, and he leans heavily on the physical talents of the Bigger Fatter Liar cast.
How the 2017 Cast Compares to the 2002 Original
Comparing the two is inevitable.
The 2002 film was a cultural moment. Paul Giamatti being dyed blue is an image burned into the retinas of every Millennial. The 2017 version tries to replicate these beats. There’s a scene where Larry Wolf gets messed with in a limousine. There’s a scene where he gets dyed. It’s a beat-for-beat homage in many ways.
The difference is the stakes. The original felt like a Hollywood heist. The sequel feels like a tech-startup prank war. Garcia’s Kevin is more tech-savvy, which makes sense for the decade, but he lacks the "scrappy underdog" grit that Muniz brought. Garcia feels like a kid who's already kind of winning at life, whereas Muniz felt like a kid who was one lie away from military school.
Where is the Cast Now? (2026 Update)
Looking back from the perspective of 2026, the careers of the Bigger Fatter Liar cast have taken some interesting turns.
Ricky Garcia moved away from the "Disney image" fairly quickly. After Forever in Your Mind went on hiatus, he focused more on independent music and smaller acting roles. He’s maintained a very loyal following on social media, but he hasn't quite hit that "A-list" movie star status many predicted.
Jodelle Ferland continues to be a powerhouse in the Canadian filming scene. She’s moved into more voice acting for video games and has become a staple at fan conventions. Her career is a masterclass in longevity; she transitioned from a child star to a working adult actor without the typical Hollywood "crash."
Barry Bostwick is, well, Barry Bostwick. He’s in his 80s now and still works more than most people half his age. He’s leaned into his status as a cult legend, frequently appearing in guest spots on sitcoms and doing theater. He’s the kind of actor who doesn't retire; he just keeps finding new ways to be the most interesting person in the room.
Why Do People Still Search for This Cast?
Usually, it's because of "Actor Crossover Syndrome."
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You’re watching Letterkenny and you see Andrew Herr. You think, "Wait, was he in that movie with the kid who lies?" Or you’re watching a horror movie with Jodelle Ferland and the contrast hits you. The movie has a weirdly high "rewatch" factor for families because it’s safe, colorful, and easy to follow.
Essential Facts About Bigger Fatter Liar
If you're looking for the quick-and-dirty details, here’s the breakdown:
- Director: Ron Oliver
- Writer: David H. Steinberg (who actually wrote for the original American Pie sequels)
- Release Date: April 18, 2017
- Filming Location: Primarily shot in Vancouver, British Columbia (which explains the heavy Canadian presence in the supporting cast).
- Key Plot Difference: Instead of a movie script, the stolen intellectual property is a video game.
The movie didn't win any Oscars. It didn't change the face of cinema. But for the Bigger Fatter Liar cast, it was a solid paycheck and a chance to play in a sandbox established by a very popular predecessor.
Final Thoughts and What to Watch Next
If you enjoyed the 2017 film, you should actually check out the cast's other, perhaps more "mature" work. Seeing Jodelle Ferland in Dark Matter is a complete 180 from her role as Becca. Seeing Andrew Herr in Letterkenny will make you realize just how much he was holding back in a PG movie.
To get the most out of your "Liar" franchise experience, follow these steps:
- Watch the 2002 original first. You need the context of the "Wolf" family legacy to appreciate the jokes in the sequel.
- Look for the cameos. There are small nods to the original production scattered throughout the 2017 film that only eagle-eyed fans will catch.
- Check out Forever in Your Mind. If you liked Ricky Garcia’s energy, his music from that era is peak mid-2010s pop.
- Follow the cast on social media. Most of them are very active and often post "throwback" photos from the Vancouver set, which give a cool behind-the-scenes look at how they pulled off the physical stunts.
The Bigger Fatter Liar cast might not be the household names that Muniz and Giamatti were, but they brought a fresh energy to a story about why you probably shouldn't lie—unless, of course, a billionaire steals your video game.