The dynamic duo, Harold and Kumar, are potentially making a return to the big screen. After more than a decade since their last adventure, a new installment in the Harold & Kumar franchise is officially in development. This exciting news comes from the same creative minds behind the hit Netflix series Cobra Kai: Jon Hurwitz, Hayden Schlossberg, and Josh Heald.
Hurwitz and Schlossberg are set to direct the film from a script co-written with Heald. The trio will also produce under their Counterbalance Entertainment banner, alongside franchise veteran Greg Shapiro. Lionsgate Motion Picture Group President Nathan Kahane will produce as well, with Dina Hillier serving as executive producer. This marks a return to the roots for the Cobra Kai creators, who launched their careers with 2004's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle and followed it with 2008's Escape from Guantanamo Bay.
The project is being developed under Lionsgate's Mandate Pictures, the same studio behind the original comedy classics. While casting is yet to be finalized, John Cho and Kal Penn are reportedly in talks to reprise their iconic roles as Harold Lee and Kumar Patel, respectively. Although contracts aren't signed, sources say both stars are likely to return for this long-awaited sequel.
The original Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle saw the pair searching for the infamous fast-food chain after smoking marijuana. The film was a success, earning a "certified fresh" 74% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and also garnered an 80% on the audience-driven Popcornmeter. The film even grossed $19 million at the box office against a $9 million budget, exceeding its break-even point.
Hurwitz and Schlossberg released a statement saying they're “fired up” to bring Harold and Kumar back with the same “unapologetically R-rated, smoke-filled chaos that started it all.” They added, “It's high time they puff and pass their wisdom onto a new generation. Just don't tell their kids.”
The Harold & Kumar franchise released a pair of sequels that saw the duo Escape from Guantánamo Bay and even celebrate Christmas together, but neither was as well-received as the original, even if they did earn more money. The second film, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, had Hurwitz and Schlossberg co-directing, making their directorial debut. In 2011, the third installment of the movie series was released, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. The critical response improved for the third film, registering a 69 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
No details about the movie's plot have yet been made public. However, going off legacy sequel tropes, it's assumed this new movie is about a younger generation turning to the sage wisdom of Harold and Kumar for advice.
Currently, a release date has not yet been set for the fourth Harold & Kumar movie. With Cobra Kai over, the directors can now focus on it.
