After a one year hiatus from acting, working for the Obama Administration in the White House, Kal Penn is set to resume his acting career this summer while filming the 3rd installment of ‘Harold & Kumar’. Apparently we’re not counting the 2008 short, ‘Harold & Kumar Go to Amsterdam‘.
In early 2009, he left his gig as a doctor on FOX’s highly rated program ‘House M.D.’ to pursue politics in the White House. His character, Lawrence Kutner, was abruptly written off the show as a requirement to accepting his new position. Since his character committed suicide, it is unlikely he will return to the show, unless as a ghost to explain why his character committed suicide in the first place.
Continue below for ‘Harold & Kumar‘ filming location information.
Kal Penn, who goes by his birth name Kalpen Modi in the White House, had previously worked on the Obama campaign. He then took on the position of Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. This career move wasn’t as as far fetched as some may think. His interest in politics went all the way back to stories of his grandparents marching with Mahatma Gandhi for Indian independence. He was also in the process of furthering his political knowledge with a graduate certificate in International Security through an online course at Stanford.
The White House spokesman Shin Inouye maintains that “Mr. Modi is honored to serve in this administration and has no announcements to make about his tenure here at this point.” Even ‘Harold & Kumar‘ costar, John Cho, seemed uncertain of Penn’s return as of March. However, his position in the White House was originally said to last for a year, but we expect a certain amount of secrecy with any government position.
While John Cho may not live past “March 15th” as FlashForward’s FBI Special Agent Demetri Noh, he will live on as Harold in the third installment of ‘Harold & Kumar‘. It would be impossible to have Harold & Kumar without Kumar, so Cho’s confirmation solidifies Penn’s return. Cho also announced that Neil Patrick Harris will be returning as well.
According to newcomer Director Todd Strauss Schulson, production of “‘A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas‘ will begin filming in late June with an eye on a 2011 holiday release.” The story is set to take place a few years after the second film in which Harold & Kumar will no longer be living together. New Line Cinema is also considering releasing the movie in 3D.
One thing not under wraps is the movie’s upcoming filming location. According to Michigan’s Film Office, ‘Harold & Kumar 3‘ is listed under anticipated productions. Even better, Director Schulson has confirmed this to be true through Twitter.
On April 11th, Director Schulson tweeted he was “off to Detroit to location scout.”
As for the creators of the ‘Harold & Kumar‘ series, and directors of ‘Escape from Guantanamo Bay’ and ‘Go to Amsterdam’, Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg have decided to pass on filming the latest ‘Harold & Kumar’ script they wrote. Instead they have decided to join the ‘American Pie’ franchise and revitalize what’s become a straight to DVD release series.Oddly enough, Schulson has directed comedy shorts that are more on par with the ‘American Pie‘ Franchise, so it should be interesting to see how both ‘Harold & Kumar 3‘ and ‘American Pie 4‘ turn out with this director switch up. If you don’t believe me, check out Schulson’s work at ulteriorproductions.com.
‘American Pie 4‘, burying the ones that didn’t quite make it to the silver screen, seeks to reunite the cast from the original movies. The project is expected to move at a fast pace since there is a strong interest from the original cast members. According to WorstPreviews.com, Seann William Scott said he would be interested in reprising the role as Stifler as long as the character has “not grown up at all. There is no point in doing it if he’s not more insane than he’s ever been.“
Hurtwutz and Schlossberg are currently in the writing stage of ‘American Pie 4’. As for future filming locations, the first 3 were heavily filmed in California.
You are incorrect in your statement. The first 3 American Pies were mostly filmed in Michigan as well.
According to the Michigan Film Website, parts of American Pie 2 were filmed in Michigan in 2001. However, Jim’s house is located in Long Beach, California and most of the American Pie series have been filmed in and around that location. However, you’re right, the American pie screenwriter is from Michigan and the series does take place in Michigan. As for the straight to DVD releases, they were mostly filmed in Canada.