Comedian and actor John Mulaney shared an unconventional parenting method for teaching his four-year-old son, Malcolm, how to ride a bicycle while simultaneously offering fresh details on his upcoming Get Smart movie project. Speaking to reporters on the red carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of his new biographical drama Madden, the 44-year-old star discussed how a simple pair of sweatpants helped his son transition off training wheels, and explained why stepping into the world of classic television espionage fits his comedic persona.

The red carpet appearance took place during the promotional push for Madden, though accounts differ slightly on the exact date of the event: according to E! Online and The Hollywood Reporter, the premiere interviews occurred on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, while a secondary report from RelRules places the premiere on November 5.

During the Los Angeles event, recorded in video coverage by Yahoo Entertainment, Mulaney balanced stories of domestic life with actress Olivia Munn alongside updates on his expanding slate of major studio film roles.

The Sweatpants Technique and Family Milestones

Teaching a young child to balance on two wheels is a common hurdle for parents, and Mulaney admitted at the premiere that his initial verbal coaching left plenty to be desired. According to E! Online, the comedian joked that while he knows how to ride a bicycle himself, he had no idea how to actually explain the mechanics of the skill to four-year-old Malcolm, initially offering the unhelpful advice to simply stop moving his arms around.

To give Malcolm physical stability without relying on training wheels, Mulaney turned to a makeshift harness made from everyday athletic wear.

He explained that he looped a pair of sweatpants around his son so that the center crotch section rested across Malcolm's chest and underneath his arms. By holding onto the two pant legs from behind as a supportive tether, Mulaney was able to jog alongside the bicycle and catch his son if he began tipping sideways. Mulaney noted that he did not invent the sweatpants technique, but confirmed that the method worked and that Malcolm is now actively pedaling and riding without training wheels.

The bike-riding milestone arrives right before a busy winter celebration period for Mulaney and Munn. Malcolm, who was born in November 2021, is preparing to turn five years old during the upcoming holiday season. Mulaney and Munn also share a younger daughter, Méi Méi, who is two years old following her birth in 2024 and recently dressed up as a steamed dumpling for Halloween 2026.

Reflecting on nearly five years of fatherhood, the Everybody's Live with John Mulaney host noted that his son has become remarkably articulate when negotiating household rules.

Mulaney shared that when Malcolm gets frustrated, he is able to collect himself and calmly tell his father that he wants him to leave the room because his mother will let him watch more television—specifically pointing to the animated series Duggee as a frequent point of negotiation.

Stepping Into Espionage With the 'Get Smart' Reboot

Beyond his stories of parenting in Los Angeles, Mulaney used the premiere carpet to address his involvement in a new theatrical reimagining of Get Smart, which is currently in early development at Warner Bros. News surfaced earlier this fall that the comedian is in talks with the studio to headline the project, though outlets vary slightly on the specifics of his casting status.

While The Hollywood Reporter describes Mulaney as being in talks to lead a reimagining without confirming a finalized deal or specific character name, ComingSoon.net reports that he is in talks to portray the franchise's central secret agent, Maxwell Smart.

Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Mulaney explained why the classic spy spoof aligns with his comic sensibilities. "It's a world of espionage with a super, super confident, not always informed person. That's my favorite type of person to play," Mulaney said. "I've gone very far in life sounding like I know what I'm talking about but having absolutely no idea what I'm saying. And I think that works perfectly for espionage."

The Warner Bros. feature is being written by Seth Grahame-Smith, known for his work on Now You See Me: Now You Don't.

Industry veterans Charles Roven and Andrew Lazar are attached to produce the reboot, bringing direct franchise continuity after having previously produced the 2008 big-screen adaptation.

Franchise Legacy and 'Madden' Release Details

The Get Smart property began on NBC in 1965 as a satirical television comedy created by comedy legends Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. Running for five seasons, the original show starred Don Adams as the bumbling yet persistent Agent 86, Maxwell Smart, alongside Barbara Feldon as Agent 99 and Edward Platt as the Chief of the secret counterintelligence agency CONTROL.

Four decades later, director Peter Segal brought the series to movie theaters in 2008 with Steve Carell in the lead role, Anne Hathaway as Agent 99, Dwayne Johnson as Agent 23, and Alan Arkin as the Chief. According to box office figures cited by ComingSoon.net, the 2008 film proved commercially successful, generating approximately $230 million worldwide against an $80 million production budget.

Although a direct sequel to the Carell-led film was placed into development following that box office run, plans for the follow-up were eventually scrapped.

Before Mulaney steps into the spy genre, audiences will see him take on a dramatic biographical role in Madden. Directed by David O. Russell, the film chronicles the life and business legacy of Hall of Fame football coach and broadcaster John Madden, played by Nicolas Cage, alongside Christian Bale as Oakland Raiders owner Al Davis. Mulaney co-stars as Electronic Arts founder Trip Hawkins, the technology executive who collaborated with Madden to launch the foundational Madden NFL video game franchise. The film is scheduled to debut in select theaters and begin streaming on Prime Video on November 18, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is John Mulaney officially confirmed to play Maxwell Smart in the reboot?

Not officially. Trade coverage from The Hollywood Reporter states that Mulaney is in talks to lead the early-development reimagining at Warner Bros., while ComingSoon.net notes he is in talks to play Maxwell Smart.

Warner Bros. has not yet announced a finalized casting deal or additional cast members.

When will the new 'Get Smart' movie be released?

Warner Bros. has not announced a production schedule, filming start date, or theatrical release window for the reboot. The project remains in early development while screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith works on the script alongside producers Charles Roven and Andrew Lazar.

Did John Mulaney invent the sweatpants bike-riding trick?

No. Mulaney explicitly noted during his red carpet interview that he did not invent the technique of looping sweatpants around a child's chest to help them balance without training wheels, though he vouched for its effectiveness in helping his four-year-old son ride independently.

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