Image Credit: Jaimie TruebloodWho needs Washington when you can have White Castle? Kal Penn’s reps confirm that the actor will leave his post as Barack Obama’s associate director of public engagement to return to his acting career. First up for the actor: a new Harold & Kumar movie, this one with a Christmas theme. New Line Studios has confirmed that the movie, to be directed by newcomer Todd Strauss Schulson, will begin filming in late June with an eye on a holiday 2011 release. (Creators Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg are moving to Universal to direct American Pie 4.) The studio, now a division of Warner Bros., is still deliberating whether it will be shot in 3-D. Penn began his White House stint last year, shortly after his character on the television show House was abruptly killed off in April, per Penn’s request to join the Obama administration.
Also: PopWatch: ‘Harold & Kumar’ creators Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg to helm ‘American Pie 4′
Kewl! More Harold & Kumar please!
It’s about time Kal’s idealist dreams were dealt their final crushing blow in this cynical world. Conan O’Brien hates cynicism, and this is why — because the White House doesn’t serve curry.
A better pun would be ‘Who needs the White House when you can have White Castle?’
Clearly Nicole isn’t as clever as you! Good one
Who needs House when you can have the White House? Who needs the White House when you can have White Castle? Who needs a White Castle when you can have…ok I’m done.
Too bad they killed him off on House, those episodes made no sense and they can’t bring him back.
Ok, almost done. I’m predicting a guest appearance on “Castle” in the near future to bring it full circle.
Tice all I can say is GROAN…
Haha Tice.
awesome Kumar ROCKS!! WE LOVE HAROLD & KUMAR!!
Congratulations. Let me know when your IQ gets into the 3 digit range.
Why would you say that to someone.
Why did he leave the White House? Disappointed in the current administration?
It was stated from the beginning that it was a short term job in Washington. This was ALWAYS the plan. If you go back to old interviews it will confirm that.
So are you saying he just did it to put it on the resume? Lame.
Me thinks you’ve never worked in the White House. More lame.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he did…
@Jane–even more ridiculous statement. He did it in the first place because he was a huge supporter of the administration. It was always meant to be a short term position as many are in politics.
He did work for Obama – me thinks you should back up your doubts when making claims someone has lied…
WH gigs are always short-term…even the long-term ones are relatively short compared to everywhere else (including Congress in some respects.) One year is a pretty substantial time to work there, especially if you work in the OEOB (like he did) as compared to the West Wing. It’s more fun to campaign anyway…as he probably figured out the hard way. Government jobs, regardless of address, aren’t exactly glamorous.
No one actually “works” in the NObama white house. Its just a resume builder and conversation maker.
He wanted to be part of the “hope and change”. When he found out it was all BS, he bailed.
@but—ridiculous statement..left to return to his acting career.
i am for real? Yes..Is Kal Penn for real? So he left his acting career to do what exactly? Oh yes, that’s right, to accomplish nothing…just like the current administration.
The current administration is trying to do a lot more, but the bitter Republicans – who are more concerned with their own egos than the American people – are making it extremely difficult.
All I can say is there better be another hilarious Chris Meloni cameo!!!
Chris Meloni and Neil Patrick Harris are awesome in the H&K movies!
Ditto on Chris Meloni! Freakshow!
That was quick. Guess DC wasn’t as glamorous as Lala land. Or more likely not as much $$$.
when he left House, he said he was leaving acting for a year for the experience of working for the Obama Admin. That’s what he did.
First, 9 months isn’t a year and second, can anyone substantiate he even said that? It sounds like an easy excuse after the fact.
I dunno. I’m glad to have Kal return to acting, but the sequel to H&K was kind of lame.
Sequal was hilarious so must be a taste thing. However, Kumar is a bit of a d-o-u-c-h-e because I heard him rip on the Harold / Kumar movies as “childish” in an interview. Money must have made him change his opinion.
About time. I was so sad when he left House.
Harold and Kumar 3?? I think this article says more about what he is jumping ship from rather than what he is going towards…
I thought the article was pretty clear…a new Christmas themed Harold and Kumar movie for holiday 2011 release….!
I think you missed the point.
Guess he can go back to smoking weed again, wonder if he has done with with THE PREZ?
Actually, he has said numerous times that he personally doesn’t smoke weed.
you do realize that the H&K movies are, y’know, fiction, right?
I believe the real question is are they getting NPH back?
There will be a NPH cameo….somehow.
Hell Yeah, NPH will communicate with them from beyond the grave, no doubt.
Watch after the end credits of the second movie. That should make it clear how they can bring NPH back. And I truly can’t wait. Best part of both movies imo.
Escape from Guantanamo was really disapointing. No bad Bush impressionists this time guys.
Are you kidding??? The G.Bush impression was my favorite part..only wish he was that cool in real life and then maybe I would have voted for him
THANK YOU SIR, MAY WE PLEASE HAVE ANOTHER.
oh i’m sure nph will be in it!! can’t wait!!!!!!