David Krumholtz did not take part in the "10 Things I Hate About You" cast reunion that aired this week on "Dancing With the Stars," and the reason is shaping up to be far less dramatic than fans of the 1999 teen comedy might have hoped. The actor, who played scene-stealing sidekick Michael Eckman in the film, was simply unavailable to join his former co-stars on the ballroom floor, according to people familiar with the scheduling. The reunion itself went ahead without him, bringing several familiar faces from the Padua High School halls back together for a nostalgia-heavy segment.

The appearance drew attention because it marked one of the more high-profile gatherings of the film's ensemble in recent years. "10 Things I Hate About You," directed by Gil Junger and released on March 30, 1999, remains a touchstone of late-'90s Hollywood teen cinema, blending comedy, romance and drama across a brisk 97-minute runtime. Its premise follows Cameron, a new student who falls hard for Bianca, only to discover that she cannot date until her sharp-tongued older sister Kat does first. The solution, as fans well know, arrives in the form of a brooding bad boy named Patrick Verona.

A Nostalgic Segment Built Around a Beloved Ensemble

The reunion segment leaned heavily on the film's enduring appeal, which has only grown since its original release. On TMDb, the movie currently holds a rating of 7.601 out of 10, a figure that speaks to how fondly audiences still regard it more than a quarter-century later. The cast list reads like a snapshot of a particular Hollywood moment: Heath Ledger as Patrick, Julia Stiles as Kat, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cameron, Larisa Oleynik as Bianca, Andrew Keegan as Joey Donner, Susan May Pratt as Mandella, Gabrielle Union as Chastity, and Krumholtz as Michael.

For "Dancing With the Stars," the reunion offered a ready-made dose of nostalgia for viewers who grew up quoting the film, and it fit the show's long tradition of staging cast get-togethers around its competition nights. Producers had reportedly hoped for a full lineup, which is why Krumholtz's absence became a talking point in the hours after the episode aired. But the circumstances, as described, point to a routine conflict rather than any rift among the former co-stars.

Why Krumholtz Sat This One Out

Krumholtz's team declined to elaborate beyond confirming that prior professional commitments kept him from participating. There is no indication of a falling-out with the show or with his former castmates, and the actor has spoken warmly about the film in past interviews. His character, Michael, was the fast-talking friend who helped Cameron navigate the social minefield of a new school and, memorably, served as comic relief throughout the story.

It is worth noting that the reunion did not include every member of the original ensemble, either. Heath Ledger, whose performance as Patrick helped define the film, died in 2008, and his absence remains a poignant footnote whenever the cast gathers. The "Dancing With the Stars" segment acknowledged him as part of the tribute to the movie's legacy, according to viewers who watched the episode.

A Film That Keeps Finding New Audiences

What makes these reunions resonate is the unusual staying power of "10 Things I Hate About You." A Hollywood production in English, it arrived at the tail end of the 1990s teen-movie boom and has since become a staple of streaming libraries and repertory screenings. Its mix of genres, comedic and romantic and dramatic by turns, has helped it outlast many of its contemporaries. Junger's direction kept the tone light while the screenplay gave its young cast room to shine, and the chemistry among the leads is often cited as the reason the film still works.

For Krumholtz, the missed appearance is unlikely to dent his association with the movie. He has built a busy career across film and television since 1999, and his brief turn as Michael remains one of the more quoted supporting roles of the era. Fans who tuned in hoping to see the whole gang together will have to settle for most of it, at least this time.

Whether the show plans another gathering down the line is unclear. For now, the "Dancing With the Stars" reunion stands as a reminder of how tightly audiences hold onto the films of their youth, and how even a single missing cast member can become a story of its own. Krumholtz, by all indications, had a good reason to sit this dance out.

Source: Hollywood Reporter