Image Credit: Pie: Vivian Zink; Sophie GiraudWhat do you get when you cross Harold & Kumar with American Pie? Sounds like we may just find out very soon. Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, the duo who created the two Harold & Kumar movies (which grossed $56.4 million in the U.S. and cleaned up in DVD sales), have signed on to direct a big-screen reboot of the American Pie franchise, set to be titled American Pie 4, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
Apparently Hurwitz and Schlossberg are already hard at work on the American Pie 4 script, which they are penning, but the storyline is being kept under wraps. (Oh, please let there be a “One time, at band camp…” joke!) Interestingly enough, the pair is looking reunite the original cast of American Pie—a sprawling group of actors that included Jason Biggs, Alyson Hannigan, Chris Klein, Shannon Elizabeth, Tara Reid, Eddie Kaye Thomas, Seann William Scott, Eugene Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Mena Suvari, Jennifer Coolidge, Thomas Ian Nichols, and Chris Owen—for this reboot. Right now, none of the actors are signed on, but reports are that interest is strong. (Some more than others, I’m sure, considering that some from this group—ahem, Tara Reid—probably need the work.) An American Pie movie has not been made for the big screen since 2003, when the third in the series, American Wedding, hit theaters. Since then, the franchise has been surprisingly successful with a slew of direct-to-DVD releases, one of which I (groan!) reviewed more than three years ago. Levy, who played the father to Biggs’ character, appeared in each of the four DVD-only sequels.
Does the fact that it’s the guys behind Harold & Kumar make you believe there is hope for the American Pie franchise once again? Contemplate on that by watching the original trailer of American Pie here. I sort of swoon for days (and movies) of yore when I watch:
Also: Hollywood Insider: Kal Penn returns from Washington for Christmas-themed ‘Harold & Kumar’ movie
just what the world needs….
Hmm, I thought that the direct to DVD movies put the death knell on any further big screen versions. Besides, did it really need a sequel or “reboot?” The third movie was a fitting end to the series, the DVD directs are just knock offs set in the same universe. If it’s a sequel to # 3 it MIGHT be decent, maybe. But it’s really not needed.
Is there anyone who really thinks this is a good idea?
The only one of the original cast members that is gainfully employed is Hannigan. Seann William Scott gets work, but it tends to be pretty foolish. Whatever!!!
Maybe I’m being nitpicky, but, to me, the words “reboot” and “sequel” aren’t interchangeable.
The way I see it, a “reboot” means that you’re going back to the drawing board and starting an entirely new series (like what Christopher Nolan did with Batman or what JJ Abrams is doing with “Star Trek”). This project, with the same cast and what I assume will be a continuation of the original storyline, sounds like a sequel. Not that we need a sequel, because it’s not like the original “American Pie” movies left a lot of unanswered questions.
Ok, maybe there is one unanswered question: what the hell happened to Mena Suvari?
She’s still crying on Kevin Spacey’s couch.
Yes, but did she ever rebutton her shirt?
The first American Pie was great, the next 2 mediocre at best, and the straight-to-DVD movies were awful. So, please don’t make this happen.
You’re def right about reboots, Ceballos.
Harold & Kumar 2 was balls.
Could be done well if it’s about them growing up and trying to raise children, fit into a working world, etc. without losing their high school ways
Apparently, the cast will return for the 10-year high school reunion. Some of them will be fatter. Some of them will have kids. And Stifler will still be as immature as ever.
All the american pie actors thought they were hot stuff after the first one was a hit, they got big raises for the first sequel. But being in a sex romp is a far cry from being a real actor, so it will be no surprise that all these out of work “actors” are all signed back on. Its a given.