Today marks 20 years since Cody Banks 2 was released. The hit movie staring Frankie Muniz was filmed on location at Knebworth House!
“I used to watch ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ every day after school, so it was very bizarre to come home one afternoon to find Frankie Muniz abseiling down the side of the house for Agent Cody Banks 2”, recalls Edward Lytton Cobbold of the filming of Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London.
Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London is a 2004 American action-comedy buddy film and the sequel to the 2003 film Agent Cody Banks. Knebworth House’s grand interior and dramatic gothic exterior was used as a location for many of the scenes including the memorable and notorious food fight with baked beans! Our Archivist at the time, Clare Fleck, remembers it well “The scene was filmed in the Banqueting Hall, with over a dozen boys sitting around the banqueting table. The whole room – including the cameras – were covered with protective film to stop them getting covered in baked beans. It was one of the most stressful days of filming at Knebworth, hoping a rogue bean wouldn’t hit an historical heirloom or piece of furniture!”
Another memorable (and nerve-wracking!) scene included Agent Cody Banks – actor Frankie Muniz – walking along the rooftop of the House.
In addition to Cody Banks, Knebworth House, Gardens, Park and wider Estate have made starring appearances in many other major feature films, series and music videos including Batman, The Crown, Paddington 2 and The King’s Speech.
Knebworth’s proximity to major film studios in Elstree and Leavesden makes it a convenient location for shooting. It’s definitely ‘film friendly’, explains Henry Lytton-Cobbold. ‘It has direct access off the motorway for oversized vehicles, easy access to the main rooms and good window access for lighting.’ With the film industry booming in Hertfordshire and more studios planned in the county, Knebworth’s versatility, location and stunning historic setting will ensure its starring roles are set to continue.
Discover the amazing variety of productions that have been filmed on the Knebworth Estate by visiting our ‘On Location’ Exhibition. House admission tickets, which include the exhibition, can be purchased online at www.knebworthhouse.com