Summary
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castleteam members explain how Ryan Reynolds helped get the comedy made. The 2004 road trip movie tells the story of Harold Lee and Kumar Patel, and their quest to eat White Castle burgers.Harold & Kumar Go to White Castlewas directed by Danny Leiner and featured aleading cast including John Cho, Kal Penn, Ethan Embry, Rob Tinkler, Fred Willard, and Steve Braun.
Speaking withRolling Stone, actor Penn and producer Nathan Kahane explain how Reynolds helpedHarold & Kumar Go to White Castleget made. According to Penn, Reynolds was “incredibly supportive” during the audition forVan Wildera couple of years earlier and even helped Penn improvise during a callback, as he was “rooting for [Penn] to get the job.” Then, Reynolds agreed to make a cameo in the film, which really pushedHarold & Kumar Go to White Castleto being made. Kahane went so far as to say that"Ryan joining the cast got the movie greenlit.“Check out the full quotes from Penn and Kahane below:
Penn:Ryan was incredibly supportive during the audition process forVan Wilder.In the final callback, it was between me and a white dude in brownface for the part of an Indian exchange student. He said to me, “How do you feel about improv?” So we improvised the scene, and he was obviously rooting for me to get the job. The entire production was awesome.
He told me once in passing, “When you get your first lead, let me know and I’ll play the supporting guy.” WhenHarold & Kumarhappened and we were talking about cameos, I reached out to Ryan and he was immediately like, “Yes, absolutely.”
Kahane:I remember calling Ryan’s agent and was like, “Is this happening?” He told me Ryan was totally supportive because Ryan loves Kal. We paid him $10,000, and he was a beautiful man of his word. Ryan joining that cast got the movie greenlit.
This Story Makes Ryan Reynolds Even More Likable
The Actor Is Beloved By Fans
Given the time period in whichHarold & Kumar Go to White Castlewas released, it is notable that Reynolds was able to push the film forward. Released two decades ago, Reynolds was only 27 years old at the time of the comedy’s release, andwas much less of a Hollywood star than he is now.Still, prior toHarold & Kumar, Reynolds had risen to stardom with roles in projects such asTwo Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place,Boltneck, andVan Wilder. That greater name recognition was enough to getHarold & Kumarmade.
Penn’s description of Reynolds makes the actor even more likable than he already is. Contributing talents to goofy projects such asFree GuyandtheDeadpoolseries,Reynolds is easily one of the most readily likable actorson screen. Reynolds' roles carry with them an ineffable charisma and charm that draw audiences to his projects. Based on Penn’s statement, it seems like this jovial attitude extends to Reynolds' off-screen behavior as well.
Kal Penn’s 10 Best Movies, Ranked By IMDb
Kal Penn may be best known for his role in the Harold and Kumar movies, but IMDb confirms he has a number of other films that are also his best.
Taking a chance onHarold & Kumar Go to White Castleended up paying off in the long-term. The$9 million budget film ended up turning a profit of $23.9 million, and went on to get two sequel movies. Penn is now a working actor as a result of the movie, as is Cho, with recent titles includingthe acclaimed showThe Sympathizer, and theupcoming horror filmAfraId.Harold & Kumar Go to White Castlemay have just been a small role for Reynolds, but his actions had a lasting positive impact.
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle
Cast
The first film in the Harold and Kumar franchise, Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle stars Kal Penn and John Cho, two roomates who, after getting high from smoking marijuana, embark on an epic adventure to get hamburgers from White Castle. Neil Patrick Harris also stars in the film as a fictionalized version of himself.
