It’s been almost 14 years since we last saw best stoner buds Harold and Kumar grace the big screen, but it looks like we will get to see the weed and White Castle loving duo back for some more shenanigans. THR first dropped the news about the upcoming sequel and shared this statement from franchise creators Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg: “We’re fired up to bring Harold and Kumar back in a return to the unapologetically R-rated, smoke-filled chaos that started it all…” Hurwitz and Schlossberg said jointly in a statement. “It’s high time they puff and pass their wisdom onto a new generation. Just don’t tell their kids.”
Both Hurwitz and Schlossberg along with their partner and third “Cobra Kai”creator, Josh Heald will write the script and direct the movie, which will be developed by Mandate Pictures and their parent company Lionsgate. Harold and Kumar actors John Cho and Karl Penn have yet to sign any contracts, but their participation should be a given as their names are in the title. It’s unclear whether Neal Patrick Harris will be participating although it is likely due to the fact that this movie helped resurrect his career. Harris’ character Barney in HIMYM was inspired by his performance in “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” and there are no known issues between the trio of creators and Harris.
We’re fired up to bring Harold and Kumar back in a return to the unapologetically R-rated, smoke-filled chaos that started it all…”
HIMYM would later go on to feature an unexpected cameo from William Zabka, who Barney called the real ‘Karate Kid’, which would then inspire Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald to create “Cobra Kai” in a full circle moment. Now it appears the three writers from New Jersey have also come full circle by reviving the franchise that made them successful and giving the fans a fourth installment of ‘Harold & Kumar’.
Will their kids also be stoners? Or will they be the sober ones rebelling against their parents? Are Harold and Kumar still getting high?
Hurwitz and Schlossberg are active on X and have been known to tease “Cobra Kai” plot points and series details in their posts, so as production gets closer, expect little story bread crumbs popping up in your feeds if you follow them.
The creator trio will also produce the film through their Counterbalance Entertainment production company. The Oscar winning original Producer of the movie, Greg Shapiro is also on board. Nathan Kahane who is currently serving as Lionsgate’s motion picture group president will also be producing the project for Mandate.
John Cho and Kal’s Penn involvement should be a given, as the ‘Harold & Kumar’ trilogy is still the most high profile and well known IP that either actor has starred in. Cho has had a sizeable run of guest appearances in popular shows and starred in the sadly forgettable live-action adaptation of “Cowboy Bebop”. Penn had significant roles in “House”, and “Designated Survivor” amongst many other series and films, plus a notable guest arc in HIMYM. The actor also took a lengthy sabbatical to work in the White House during the Obama administration. Penn has gone on record as wanting to do a fourth movie and in 2020 he told Variety that “John Cho and I text about it [a fourth ‘Harold & Kumar’] all the time.”
Hurwitz, Schlossberg and Heald have been busy for years due to the massive popularity of “Cobra Kai” but have been looking for their next big project since the series wrapped in February of this year. During the “Cobra Kai” series finale end credit scene, the trio added a meta moment where they talked about rebooting the ‘Back to the Future’ franchise, which they have stated was just a joke, but it appears their alluded to intentions of reviving a beloved older project were actually real.
No set date has been named for the project, but we predict sometime in 2026 or early 2027 as a release date. As Lionsgate doesn’t generally do straight to streaming, the project is expected to have a theatrical release. If White Castle will be part of the story is yet to be divulged, but as the original movie is what started the rollercoaster, it’s a safe bet there will at least be an Easter Egg and it’s possible that the main conflict revolves around the iconic fast food restaurant in another full circle moment.
What do you think? Will Harold & Kumar bring their high, low-brow humor to another generation of fans? Will they be able top recreate the magic of the original with aging co-stars? After what the trio did with “Cobra Kai” and their lead actors, we think it’s likely. What do you think? What will the story be about? Are Harold and Kumar’s kids cool? Who will be cast as the next generation? Will Kevin Hart deliver another comedy classic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
