Frankie Muniz was everywhere in 2003. Literally everywhere. If you weren't watching him deal with his chaotic family on Malcolm in the Middle, you were probably seeing his face on a lunchbox or a Scholastic Book Fair flyer. But for a lot of us, the definitive Muniz moment wasn't a sitcom. It was the moment he put on a tuxedo, grabbed a jetpack, and became the junior version of 007.
The Cody Banks movie cast was a weird, lightning-in-a-bottle assembly of talent. You had the biggest child star on the planet, the reigning queen of Disney Channel, a Law & Order powerhouse, and a guy who played an immortal mummy. Looking back from 2026, it’s honestly wild to see how these careers branched out. Some went to NASCAR. Others became indie music darlings.
The kid who could do it all
Frankie Muniz was paid $2 million for this movie. That was a massive paycheck for a teen in 2003—the highest since Macaulay Culkin’s heyday. He played Cody Banks, a kid who was basically a god-tier secret agent but couldn't talk to girls to save his life. It was relatable. Well, except for the CIA part.
People forget that Frankie actually put acting on the back burner for a long time to drive cars. Like, professionally. As of 2026, he’s still deep in the racing world, recently confirming his return for another full season in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with Team Reaume. He’s 40 now. Let that sink in. He also recently dropped a bit of tea, mentioning that Hilary Duff wasn't actually his first choice for the female lead—he originally wanted Kristin Kreuk from Smallville.
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The Natalie Connors factor
Hilary Duff was just starting her transition from Lizzie McGuire to "serious" movie star when she joined the Cody Banks movie cast as Natalie Connors. She was the "mission." Cody had to get close to her to stop her dad’s nanobots from destroying the world. Typical high school stuff.
Hilary is currently having a massive resurgence in 2026. She just released a new single called "Mature," which is her first music in about a decade. She’s even doing a small tour called "Small Rooms, Big Nerves" starting in London and hitting New York and LA. She’s gone from being the teen girl Cody was terrified to talk to, to a multi-hyphenate mogul balancing a family and a music comeback.
The handlers and the villains
Angie Harmon played Ronica Miles. She was the "cool older sister" mentor figure who actually did the heavy lifting while Cody was panicking. Harmon had just left Law & Order to do more film work, and she brought a certain grit to a movie that was otherwise pretty goofy.
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Then you have the villains.
- Arnold Vosloo: Most people knew him as Imhotep from The Mummy. In Cody Banks, he played Molay, the henchman with the menacing stare. He’s still working constantly, recently appearing in Sniper: The Last Stand (2025).
- Ian McShane: Before he was the terrifying Al Swearengen in Deadwood or the Continental manager in John Wick, he was Brinkman. He was the mastermind behind the nanobots. It's funny to see him in a PG movie now.
- Keith David: He played the CIA Director. That voice? Iconic. He’s still one of the most prolific voice actors in the industry, recently working on Hazbin Hotel and Masters of the Universe.
Why this specific cast worked
The movie had a $25 million budget and made nearly $60 million. It wasn't a Star Wars level hit, but it was profitable enough to spawn a sequel (though Duff didn't return for that one). The chemistry worked because it didn't take itself too seriously. You had Cynthia Stevenson and Daniel Roebuck as Cody’s parents—the quintessential "clueless but loving" suburbanites. They provided the anchor that made Cody’s secret life feel even more absurd.
Honestly, the supporting cast is a "who’s who" of character actors. Martin Donovan played Natalie’s dad, the scientist being forced to build the nanobots. Even Darrell Hammond from SNL showed up as a guy named Earl. It felt like MGM just called everyone who was popular at the time and asked if they wanted to play with gadgets for a few months in Vancouver.
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Where they are now: A 2026 snapshot
If you're looking for a reunion, don't hold your breath, but they are all still incredibly active. Frankie is preparing for his 2026 NASCAR season while also starring in a four-episode Malcolm in the Middle revival called Life’s Still Unfair. Hilary Duff is focusing on her Atlantic Records deal and her upcoming docuseries about her return to the stage.
The Cody Banks movie cast represents a very specific era of filmmaking. It was the peak of the "tween" action boom. No massive CGI universes, just a kid with some X-ray glasses and a motorized skateboard.
What to do if you're feeling nostalgic
If this trip down memory lane has you wanting to revisit the William Donovan Institute, here’s how to handle it:
- Check the streaming platforms: The movie rotates frequently between Max and Prime Video. It’s a 102-minute watch—perfect for a lazy Sunday.
- Follow the racing: If you want to see what "Cody" is up to in real-time, keep an eye on the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series standings this year. Muniz is driving the No. 33 Ford F-150.
- Listen to the new tracks: Hilary Duff’s "Mature" is actually a solid pop-rock track that addresses her younger self. It’s a meta-commentary on the fame she had during the Cody Banks era.
- Watch the "Malcolm" revival: Since Muniz is back in the acting saddle for the first time in ages, it's worth seeing how his comedic timing has held up after twenty years of car racing.