America‟s favorite buds, Harold Lee and Kumar Patel, return to the big screen in
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.
While the 2004 film Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle charted the pair‟s exploits on a
hilariously arduous journey to a White Castle restaurant in New Jersey, writers/directors
Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (screenwriters of the original film) use a grander canvas
for Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.
We pick up with Harold (John Cho) and Kumar (Kal Penn) right where we left them – in their
apartment after they‟ve successfully completed their White Castle quest. It‟s only an hour or
two later, and the guys are preparing for an epic adventure to Amsterdam so that Harold can
win the heart of his crush, Maria.
At the airport, Kumar runs into his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa (Danneel Harris), and he‟s shocked to
discover she‟s about to get married.
Before they even get on the plane, Kumar threatens to botch the mission by mixing it up with
airport security personnel, insisting on protesting a random search. Though they do make it onto
the plane, Kumar, as fans of the first film won‟t be surprised or disappointed to find out,
eventually succeeds in getting them into more trouble than they bargained for. Unable to wait
six hours to get to Amsterdam, Kumar takes a home-made “smokeless bong” into the airplane
bathroom. Turbulence strikes, the bathroom door swings open, the bong‟s mistaken for a bomb,
and the guys are mistaken for terrorists.
The plane is turned around and the guys are detained in Guantanamo Bay. If you don‟t
immediately connect the idea of laughter with the idea of Gitmo, get ready for Hurwitz and
Schlossberg‟s treatment of it.
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay offers all the things audiences loved about
Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, only bigger and better. Echoing Harold‟s escape from jail
in Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, this time both guys escape detention in Guantanamo
Bay. The quests Harold and Kumar undertake in each film are similarly proportional. In Harold &
Kumar Go To White Castle, Harold and Kumar endured an endless slew of obstacles in search
of the perfect remedy for their case of the munchies. In Harold & Kumar Escape from
Guantanamo Bay, they undertake an even more obstacle-laden journey, but instead of a snack,
they‟re seeking to clear their names of the charges that they‟re terrorists and secure their
freedom.
Their plan for accomplishing this involves a journey from Guantanamo Bay to Miami to Texas, to
Vanessa‟s wedding to seek help from her fiancé, a politically connected friend of Harold‟s with
ties to one of America‟s most powerful and prominent political families. It‟s an epic journey not
easily carried out, and along the way they encounter the Ku Klux Klan, an inbred Cyclops baby,
and – once again – Neil Patrick Harris.
Hot on their heels is Deputy Chief of Homeland Security Ron Fox (Rob Corddry), for whom
simply hearing Harold and Kumar are suspected terrorists is enough to convict and imprison
them.
Still, with all of what‟s at stake, the irrepressible Kumar is firm in his commitment to enjoying
whatever journey he‟s on. Between this proclivity and his desire to break up the wedding of
Vanessa, who he realizes is the one that got away, even though he dumped her for fear of
things getting to serious, Kumar once again pushes the limits of Harold‟s friendship, patience
and sanity. But whatever doesn‟t kill their friendship will make it stronger.
John Cho (American Pie trilogy, the upcoming Star Trek) and Kal Penn (The Namesake, TV‟s
“House”) lead an accomplished cast that is peppered with a slew of hilarious cameos, including
some recurring cast members from Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle.
Neil Patrick Harris reprises his role as “Neil Patrick Harris.” Eddie Kaye Thomas (American Pie)
and David Krumholtz (Slums of Beverly Hills, TV‟s “Numbers”) are back as Rosenberg and
Goldstein, Harold and Kumar‟s neighbors. Christopher Meloni (TV‟s “Law & Order S.V.U”), the
bizarre Freakshow from Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, appears here as the Grand
Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan. Also featured are Beverly D‟Angelo as a Texas whorehouse
madam, Ed Helms as a Department of Homeland Security translator, Jack Conley as Deputy
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Chuck Frye, a military liaison to the Department of Homeland Security, Roger Bart as Dr.
Beecher, Vice Chairman of the NSA, Danneel Harris as Vanessa and Paula Garces as Harold‟s
dream girl, Maria.
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay is a New Line Cinema Presentation in
association with Mandate Pictures and a Kingsgate Films Production. Jon Hurwitz & Hayden
Schlossberg, who wrote the original Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, direct the new film
from their original script. Greg Shapiro and Nathan Kahane return as producers. The executive
producers are Joe Drake, Carsten Lorenz, Toby Emmerich and Richard Brener. The co-
producers are Nicole Brown, Kelli Konop, Michael Disco and Samuel J. Brown.
The behind-the-scenes team includes costume designer Shawn Holly Cookson, composer
George S. Clinton, film editor Jeff Freeman, A.C.E., production designer Tony Fanning and
director of photography Daryn Okada, ASC.
New Line Cinema will release Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (rated “R” by the
M.P.A.A. for “strong crude and sexual content, graphic nudity, pervasive language and drug
use”) in theaters nationwide on April 25th, 2008.
3
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
For the follow-up to 2004‟s Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, in which the title characters
embarked on a hilarious and often surreal all-night quest for White Castle hamburgers, writer-
directors Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg (screenwriters of the original film) decided to
work on an exponentially grander scale – Harold and Kumar‟s cross-country race against time
to avoid life behind bars.
Hurwitz and Schlossberg‟s original inspiration for Harold & Kumar can partially be credited to
that old chestnut, “write what you know.” Before there were screenplays, there was a Harold
Lee, who both Hurwitz and Schlossberg refer to as “one of our favorite people on the planet.”
Hurwitz went to junior high with Lee, then moved during high school and became good friends
with Schlossberg. All three linked up again in college at University of Pennsylvania. Schlossberg
fondly remembers one summer during which they all lived and worked together in Philadelphia
and “bonded over „Saved by the Bell‟ and „Conan O‟Brien.‟” During the same time, Hurwitz &
Schlossberg began writing together.
After a number of scripts with Harold and Kumar as “friend characters” – Harold based on the
real-life Harold Lee, Kumar “an amalgamation of several Indian friends,” Hurwitz and
Schlossberg decided to write a script where the pair took center stage. “And it turned out to be
our first script to be made into movie,” recalls Hurwitz.
When it came to casting Harold for the first film, John Cho was the obvious choice because
“wherever we‟d go with Harold,” says Schlossberg, “people would shout „MILF!‟” (a reference to
a saying by Cho‟s character in the original American Pie.) “People would ask him if he was in
American Pie a lot,” says Hurwitz.
“I started to reply „no,‟ but then I thought, „why not?‟ Lee confirms. “So I ultimately just agreed.”
The three are still very close. After Schlossberg and Hurwitz relocated to Los Angeles, Lee
quickly followed. “I moved to L.A. to clear my name,” Lee jokes, “‟because my life is not just
about marijuana and eating burgers.”
4
Lee has also spent time on the set of both movies. He says seeing himself portrayed on screen
is “the weirdest thing one could ever go through.” He admits to sharing some of Harold‟s
neurotic tendencies, but that he‟s not “the wuss that Harold‟s often portrayed to be.” Though
seeing his on-screen depiction is a little scary to him, “it‟s simultaneously awesome,” he says.
Writer-director Jon Hurwitz sees the sequel as an extension of the maturation that he, his writing
partner Hayden Schlossberg and the leads, John Cho & Kal Penn (who portrays Kumar in both
films), have undergone in the four years since the first film. “As Hayden and I get older, and as
John and Kal get older, even though this movie takes place a day later, we feel like this one‟s a
little bit more mature, while being significantly more immature,” says Hurwitz. “This movie
validates John and Kal not just as youth comedy stars, but as this generation‟s Odd Couple.”
John Cho articulates the contrast between first and second films: “Harold and Kumar get lost
going to a hamburger place in the first one, and we get thrown into Guantanamo Bay in this one.
It's a little more intense. And that's where you get the comedy.”
Eddie Kaye Thomas and David Krumholtz, back to reprise their roles as Harold and Kumar‟s
neighbors, Rosenberg and Goldstein concur. “This one‟s more epic,” says Krumholtz. “It‟s
more advanced than your typical Hollywood fare. This is really something special for the
audience.”
To Eddie Kaye Thomas, Hurwitz and Schlossberg have succeeded in staying true to the spirit of
the what makes the original film great while making the new film even bigger and better “without
hitting the old stuff too dead on, and without ever veering off course.”
“In the first one, we had the munchies,” says Kal Penn. “In this film, we're accused of being
terrorists. The stakes are much higher the second time around. Infinitely higher.”
Penn also observes that along with higher stakes comes a deepening of character: “You learn a
lot about Kumar that you didn't see the first time around. You didn't know that Kumar is still in
love with his ex-girlfriend, Vanessa. You learn that he really has a sensitive side to him, that
he's not just a player, that he's got this soft spot for the woman that he loves.”
5
As the creators of the world of Harold and Kumar, there was no question about Hurwitz and
Schlossberg returning as writers for Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. Getting the
job as directors, however, was not a lock. “In terms of landing the job, it was something we had
to fight for like any other director,” says Hurwitz. Though confessing that he and Schlossberg
had directed “literally zero footage before the first day of shooting,” the pair had gained some
exposure to the demands of the job during production of Harold and Kumar Go To White
Castle.”
Danny Leiner, the director of the first film, “is an awesome, awesome guy,” enthuses Hurwitz.
“He took us under his wing and allowed us to work with the actors. Danny really kept us
involved, and it was just an incredible experience.”
With Leiner unavailable to direct the follow-up, Hurwitz and Schlossberg “put together a huge
presentation for studio executives of what the movie would look like,” says Hurwitz. “We hired a
storyboard artist ourselves. We had a strong grasp of the characters, and we figured there‟s no
one better to direct this movie and no better first directing project for us.”
Executive producer Carsten Lorenz agrees that the duo‟s familiarity with the material gave
Mandate Pictures and New Line Cinema confidence in the first-time directors. “When they
approached us about directing this one,” he says, “everybody felt pretty good about giving them
this opportunity. They did a great job.”
The cast heartily agrees with Lorenz‟s assessment of Hurwitz and Schlossberg‟s freshman turn
behind the camera.
“It‟s a real pleasure to work with Jon and Hayden, who are just very generous directors,” John
Cho says. “Both Kal Penn and I are long-time friends of Jon and Hayden now, which makes the
work environment a dream situation where we come in and pitch ideas and we‟re always
laughing.”
“There‟s no one better to direct this film,” states Eddie Kaye Thomas, a veteran of Harold &
Kumar Go To White Castle. “Jon and Hayden created Harold and Kumar and their whole world.
They also happen to be really funny guys who are easy to work with.”
6
The generosity of the first-time directors is apparent in their quickness to share credit when
discussing the project. Directing this film has definitely been the best experience of our lives,
and it‟s mostly because of the people,” says Hayden Schlossberg. “It‟s the cast and crew.
Everybody is so talented.” Jon Hurwitz singles out “our amazing director of photography, Daryn
Okada, and our amazing production designer, Tony Fanning. The whole crew has been terrific
in their ability to sculpt this world.”
The pair also treasured the experience of working with actors on set. Hurwitz credits his cast
with an ability to “create these characters and come up with new things on set.”
Neil Patrick Harris, reprising the incarnation of Neil Patrick Harris that Hurwitz and Schlossberg
created in the original film, articulates the value of the opportunity to work with writer-directors,
citing the benefits of this working relationship for actors. “It‟s nice when the line from actor to the
material is very short. In other cases, when a writer writes a script, the studio tweaks it and then
the director interprets it, by the time the script gets to the actors, it‟s not what it started out as.
Jon and Hayden are the source material, so I‟m down for whatever they want to throw at me as
directors.” Harris has nothing but praise for the writing-directing duo. “These two guys are great
writers who are showing themselves to be amazing directors as well,” he says.
Christopher Meloni, another returning cast member (he played the aptly named Freakshow in
Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle and in the new film plays the Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux
Klan) holds Hurwitz and Schlossberg in such high esteem that he was ready to sign on before
he knew the details of his part. “They didn‟t even have to tell me what the part was for this one.
I said, „just bring it,‟ because I enjoyed their work so much the first time, and now they‟re
directing.”
Like his colleagues, Meloni prizes the generosity of the directors. “Their directing style has been
great,” he says. “I had some ideas to share about the scene, and they really listened. As an
actor, that‟s really all you want is to have your say, and they welcome that.”
Rob Corddry, who plays Deputy Chief of Homeland Security Ron Fox, the film‟s hilarious villain,
says that “it‟s definitely fun that these guys are very cool with improv. It gives me license to try to
heighten what my character would say, and there is something perversely fun about being that
awful.”
7
Jack Conley, who plays Deputy Chuck Frye, the military liaison to Ron Fox‟s Homeland Security
operation, also appreciates Hurwitz and Schlossberg‟s collaborative style, “If you have a good
idea, they‟re totally for it. But I‟m happy to say it‟s not like they threw the script out!”
All of the actors agree that Hurwitz and Schlossberg have come up with an incredibly funny
screenplay.
“This is not just any comedy, but a comedy that is really smartly written,” says Kal Penn.
Beverly D‟Angelo, who plays a Texas whorehouse madam, concurs. “I think it‟s the funniest
thing I‟ve ever read,” she says. “I laughed out loud many, many times.”
For the first film, Neil Patrick Harris approached reading the script with some trepidation.
Though his role – Neil Patrick Harris – might seem deceptively simple, he says, “this is not really
me. This is me playing the version that they wrote of me.” Harris was initially hesitant about
taking part in the first film, unsure of “…what their motives were. Are these guys writing the
jokes making fun of you, or being reverential?” One meeting with Hurwitz and Schlossberg was
all it took to reassure him. “I met with them and they were super nice. I thought, „what the hell?‟
When else do you get a chance to play yourself, but hopped up on all kinds of ecstasy and
doing lines of coke off strippers‟ asses? When in your life do you get to do that? For me, never.”
When Harris heard about Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, he was thrilled to
learn his character was back. “I was hoping I would be in it, that they wouldn‟t just get someone
else to play themself. These guys are great writers.”
The chance that Harris took on the first film has paid off in spades. He credits getting his
starring role as Barney in the hit CBS series “How I Met Your Mother” to his portrayal of Neil
Patrick Harris in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. “I owe a lot to these guys for this role.
The legs that the first film has had has been crazy.”
Cheetah rides, rabid raccoons, a drug-addled Neil Patrick Harris: all components that added up
to the success of the first film. But most importantly, you have to have sympathetic characters.
8
Creating the kind of characters audiences can relate to was at the heart of Hurwitz and
Schlossberg‟s ambition when they sat down to write both Harold & Kumar films.
“I think what people like most about Harold and Kumar is the relatability of the characters and
the friendship of these two main characters. We wanted to write something that people of all
ages, both men and women, would be able to connect to,” Hurwitz says. They realized they‟d
accomplished their mission during the early test screenings of Harold & Kumar Go To White
Castle when women liked the movie as much as men did.”
Danneel Harris, who plays Kumar‟s ex-girlfriend Vanessa, the key female in Harold & Kumar
Escape from Guantanamo Bay, appreciates Hurwitz and Schlossberg‟s handling of her
character. “I think it‟s really neat, as an actor and a fan of the first movie, that they‟ve decided
Kumar learns to smoke pot from a chick. It makes me feel good. Girl power.”
Hurwitz also believes the new film will resonate with women as well as men because of
John Cho and Kal Penn. “It‟s a real testament to the friendship that the two guys have.”
“Their friendship feels real to people,” agrees John Cho. “It‟s not ridiculous cardboard cut-outs
going through crazy adventures.”
Kal Penn says that the believable friendship is what keeps audiences hooked, and elaborates
on the realistic and dynamic nature of that friendship. “These two are good for each other.
Kumar goes off on his tangents, and Harold pulls him back in. Without Harold, they would never
find Vanessa‟s fiancé. But without Kumar, Harold would probably freak out.”
Audiences crave believable characters, but Cho also observes, “people root for underdogs, and
Harold and Kumar are great underdogs.”
Executive producer Carsten Lorenz agrees that everyone in the audience can relate to being
the little guy. “I think there‟s a bit of Harold and Kumar in all of us. We‟ve all been in situations
where you don‟t quite get where you want.”
Lorenz adds that the indomitable spirit of the two leads appeals to audiences as well.
“Everybody‟s pummeling you, but you have a dream and don‟t take no for an answer. These two
9
keep going and ultimately succeed, and that‟s where it becomes a very pleasing film with
admirable characters.”
For actor Ed Helms, who plays an interpreter brought in by the racist Ron Fox (played by Rob
Corddry), Harold and Kumar‟s underdog status is central to his love of them. “In both scripts,
everything‟s stacked up against them, and those are the people you like to root for. Kal and
John play these characters so sympathetically, you‟re going to root for them.”
Helm‟s character can‟t believe that Harold‟s parents speak English, which of course, they do.
Of his character, Helms notes, “I'm so good at my job as an interpreter, that when they don't
speak the language that I'm expecting, I can't understand it.” Though Helms doesn‟t speak
Korean, he did his best to learn some for his lines. “The frustrating thing for me is that I
prepared more for this part, trying to learn those Korean lines, than I would for “Hamlet.” And I
still kept screwing it up. If someone who spoke Korean watched me saying the lines, I'd be
amazed and very curious what it actually might mean in Korean, because I‟ve butchered it so
horribly.”
As fans of Comedy Central‟s “The Daily Show,” Hurwitz and Schlossberg are thrilled to have
Helms and Corddry together in a scene. “Ed Helms is amazing. We knew that Ed was a fan of
the first Harold & Kumar, and we just needed to have him.”
One defining characteristic, as well as major departure from cinematic tradition, is that neither
Harold nor Kumar, highly relatable “everymen,” are Caucasian. As co-star Eddie Kaye Thomas
puts it, “I think Kal Penn and John Cho will be the first people who won‟t just be remembered as
„the Indian guy‟ and „the Asian guy.‟”
“The culture and race of Harold and Kumar is incidental,” says Hayden Schlossberg.
“These are Asian American characters who are just like the white character that you would see
on the big screen,” Jon Hurwitz agrees. However, what is incidental to character is instrumental
to story. “The characters they encounter do notice this aspect of them.”
As it happened in Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle, often when other characters in Harold
& Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay take note of Harold and Kumar‟s ethnicity, the writers
10
take the opportunity to exploit these moments to depict comedically what Stephen Holden of
The New York Times called “a politically savvy universe where the title characters, 22-year-old
New Jersey roommates who are Korean-American and Indian-American, puncture ethnic
stereotypes.”
John Cho identifies other characters‟ clinging to stereotypes as the root of much of the comedy
of Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. “It provides so much material for the jokes.
The plot is after all based on us being mistaken for terrorists.”
The project appealed to Cho not just as an actor, but also as an Asian American. “Politically, of
course, as an Asian American, I think it‟s just wonderful that we get to play specifically Asian
and Indian characters without the stereotypes, but who are also very specific in terms of how
they‟re being characterized. It‟s a great kind of political leap in the movies.”
Kal Penn agrees. “Jon and Hayden‟s interest is in the human nature of these characters, not in
anything exterior. On one hand, it‟s sad to see it hasn‟t happened before. On the other, I‟m so
proud that New Line Cinema and Mandate Pictures and everyone has come together to make
these films.”
In actor Christopher Meloni‟s view, even though the leads are people of color, Hurwitz and
Schlossberg have crafted a tale that is color-blind. “Regardless of your skin color or your
ethnicity, your religious background, we are all a bunch of immigrants here, and we're all feeling
the same thing. I think that's a very strong, encouraging, necessary message.”
Kal Penn elaborates. “Harold and Kumar are Americans first. Before they‟re guys, before they‟re
New Jersians, and certainly before they‟re Asian or Indian. Before any of that, they‟re American.
Something you find in this movie is how much they love America, and how ridiculous they find it
when they run into people who are scared of them.”
Though “political commentary” is not the first thing that leaps into fan‟s minds at the mention of
Harold and Kumar, both Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle and Harold & Kumar Escape
from Guantanamo Bay have political threads woven throughout their narratives. While the first
film deals chiefly in exploring the difficulties two Asian Americans encounter in a quotidian way,
the new film couches its racial and political commentary in a broader, post-9/11 context.
11
What makes the satirical elements of the film a stand-out is that Jon Hurwitz and Hayden
Schlossberg manage to send up the country without meanness or partisan bias, even with an
appearance by none other than George Bush at the film‟s climax.
As Kal Penn says, “This is a very pro-American film. The Bush character says that you don‟t
have to agree with your government to be a good American. You just have to believe in your
country. And that‟s the message of the movie.”
“Agenda-less” political satire was very much part of Hurwitz and Schlossberg‟s agenda. “We
feel that most Americans are in the middle of the road,” says Hurwitz. “In the script, we don‟t
make it out that everyone in the government is a moron.”
Schlossberg adds, “It‟s clear that Ron Fox is the villain, and he‟s not the guy we‟re rooting for.”
But as they‟ve done with all their characters, Hurwitz and Schlossberg create a complex
character in Ron Fox. “Ron Fox believes that he‟s doing exactly what needs to be doing to save
the United States,” Kal Penn says.
Schlossberg elaborates on their treatment of Ron Fox. “We told Rob Corddry, „You are the hero
of this movie. Act as if you‟re Harrison Ford confronting the biggest terrorist situation possible.”
Hurwitz adds, “That‟s what his character needs to believe for him to be a credible threat.” But in
the spirit of representing a government not overrun with “morons,” Hurwitz and Schlossberg
have surrounded Fox with a team that questions him. “They‟re not all crazy,” Hurwitz adds.
Ed Helms confirms that the writers have been true to their goal of creating a satire without an
agenda. “Does the film tackle homeland security and the War on Terror? I think this movie might
tickle them. There‟s not a strident political message here. You can deconstruct hypocrisy, and
that‟s always funny. But if you take a strident position on either side, as soon as that‟s infused
into content, it‟s hard to be funny. There‟s some political satire in here, for sure, but it‟s pretty
cool the way they slip it in with the kooky humor.”
“What‟s great in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay is that it‟s quote unquote
political, and it could very easily seem like they‟re making points about racism, and homeland
12
security, and Bush, but it‟s none of that. It‟s making fun of stuff without having an agenda,” says
actor Eddie Kaye Thomas.
Actor Roger Bart, who plays Dr. Beecher, the Vice Chairman of the NSA and a voice-of-reason
to Rob Corddry‟s Ron Fox, puts it another way. “It runs the risk of offending everybody. It‟s
audacious, but it‟s not a mean-spirited movie. It sends up America in a loving way that‟s
hilarious.”
Rob Corddry describes the film as “technically, a satirical slap farce. But I think the directors are
calling it ironic farcical shtick. These guys are definitely not afraid of offending anybody, of
allowing themselves to go to a ridiculous level that enables them to find more comedy, whether
it be offensive or disgusting. I wipe poo on the Bill of Rights in this movie. My parents are very
proud of me.”
My character believes that Harold and Kumar are terrorists of the Osama Bin Laden strata, and
so he applies that sort of intensity to his attempt to capture them,” continues Corrdry. “He
doesn‟t like them, or anyone off-white. He might be the most racist character in film history, and
he‟s hunting Harold and Kumar down as the number one most-wanted people in America.”
This range from high to low is indicative of the directors‟ influences. Hayden Schlossberg notes,
“Jon and I are fans of every type of comedy.”
Jon Hurwitz adds, “Throughout the script, you see different elements of influences – Woody
Allen, Larry David, Conan O‟Brien, the Farrelly Brothers, the Zucker Brothers and Mel Brooks.
You can see all the different comic minds we‟re fans of.”
Hurwitz explains that what all of the influences add up to is that there‟s something for every type
of comedy connoisseur. “Not everyone‟s into the stoner element, but they might connect with
the gross-out comedy, or they might connect with the satire or the youth comedy vibe.”
In the hands of other filmmakers, a War on Terror-themed road comedy might indict the current
administration, or reek of partisan bias. Aware of this, Hurwitz and Schlossberg wrote
accordingly. They have George W. Bush step in. “Having George W. Bush save the day was
something we thought would be a great statement about this movie. The whole point of this
13
movie is not to be a Republican movie or a Democrat movie. This is just a movie that is a satire
of things going on here. And it‟s nice to see a fun side of George W.,” Hurwitz explains.
Though executive producer Carsten Lorenz was confident in the script‟s quality and its ability to
attract talent, one casting decision had him taken aback. “I don‟t know what happened with that
guy, but he was game, and now he‟s in the movie.”
Lorenz is speaking of perhaps the best known person in the world, President Bush (played by
James Adomian in his first feature film role). Lorenz enjoyed working with the President. “It was
fun to work with him and find out things we didn‟t know about him. He seems to be a good
sport,” Lorenz observes, and adds, “I really appreciate the White House and everybody
cooperating to make this happen.”
The President was not the only one who had a high time on the set of Harold & Kumar Escape
from Guantanamo Bay.
John Cho says, “I‟ve been on sets that aren‟t nearly as fun as this. The people that have been
cast and the people in creative positions are all here to make a funny movie because we believe
in it, and that‟s just fun.”
Rob Corddry enthuses, “I‟ve enjoyed every scene I‟ve been in. Every morning, Roger Bart and I
just giggle and say, „I‟m really excited about this scene. This one‟s gonna be really fun.‟”
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay was lensed entirely in Shreveport, Louisiana,
which executive producer Carsten Lorenz describes as “the Hollywood of the South. There‟s a
lot of production activity going on here.” At the time of the filming, there were four major movies
being filmed in Shreveport. What made it an ideal location was it‟s versatility. “Harold & Kumar
are traveling from Cuba through Miami, Alabama, Louisiana, all the way to Texas. And we
zeroed in on Louisiana because that‟s where we were able to find the diversity of looks.”
For actress Danneel Harris, “shooting in Shreveport was like coming home. I‟m originally from
Eunice, Louisiana, which is about three hours south. It‟s very fun to be around New Orleans
folk.”
14
Though many of Harris‟ castmates were visiting Shreveport for the first time, all agreed that it
was a great place. Even Ed Helms, who “got yelled at by a guy in a cowboy hat because I
wasn‟t playing blackjack properly,” admits his first trip to Shreveport was “still a lot of fun.”
###
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ABOUT THE CAST
Kal Penn (Kumar)
2008 is proving to be one of Kal Penn's most successful and demanding years yet. Penn is
currently starring on Fox's critically acclaimed series, “House,” as a new young doctor,
Lawrence Kutner, who relates to House's unorthodox ways of approaching medicine.
Penn recently received rave reviews for his portrayal of Gogol Ganguli in the Fox Searchlight
film The Namesake, based on the novel by Pulitzer Prize winner Jhumpa Lahiri and directed by
Mira Nair (Vanity Fair, Monsoon Wedding). The film, which won praises internationally, deals
with issues of family, love, loss, and struggle - the things that form the American experience.
Penn was born and raised in New Jersey which allowed him to train extensively in theatre all
over the metropolitan New York area. His most memorable experiences include working with
the George Street Playhouse, The Atlantic Theatre Company, The New Jersey Governor's
School of the Arts and Rutger's University Summer Arts Institute.
When Penn graduated from the Freehold Regional High School District's Performing Arts High
School, he was accepted into the prestigious School of Theater, Film and Television at the
University of California Los Angeles. During his time at UCLA, Penn continued to build his body
of work in film and television both inside and outside of the classroom.
In his spare time, Penn is pursuing a Graduate Certificate in International Security at the
Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University. He serves on the
celebrity board of the International Red Cross.
John Cho (Harold)
John Cho first started catching people‟s attention in the 1999 breakthrough hit comedy
American Pie in which he popularized the slang term "MILF". Next, he achieved near-household
name status starring as Harold Lee in the cult comedy Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle for
New Line Cinema. As one of today‟s most exciting actors, Cho continues to deliver compelling
performances in comedy and drama.
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Cho is currently in production on J.J. Abrams' upcoming Star Trek movie where he plays
Lieutenant Hikaru Sulu. Star Trek is set for release in May 2009 through Paramount Pictures.
Cho has appeared in numerous films, including the Weitz Bros‟ American Dreamz, starring
alongside Willem Dafoe and Hugh Grant, Margaret Cho‟s feature comedy, Better Luck
Tomorrow, the American Pie series, Pavilion of Women, Steven Soderbergh‟s Solaris and
2000‟s Best Picture Oscar® winner American Beauty. In addition to numerous guest roles on
television, he was a series regular on the Weitz Bros‟ “Off Centre” for the WB and had a
recurring role on last season's “Kitchen Confidential” for FOX.
Born in Seoul, Korea and raised in Los Angeles, California, Cho began acting while studying
English literature at the University of California, Berkeley. He toured with his first show, an
adaptation of the renowned memoir by Maxine Kingston, The Woman Warrior, across the
country. Other stage roles include Laertes in Singapore Repertory Theater‟s production of
“Hamlet,” and a variety of shows for East West Players. Cho resides in Los Angeles and is the
lead singer for the band Left of Zed.
Rob Corddry (Ron Fox)
Rob Corddry was a regular on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” from 2002 through September
2006 as a political correspondent. He has also appeared on episodes of “Curb Your
Enthusiasm,” “Arrested Development,” “Late Night with Conan O‟Brien,” and “Upright Citizens
Brigade.” Corddry also starred in the Fox television series “The Winner” from writer/producers
Seth McFarlane and Ricky Blitt.
On film, Corddry was most recently seen in the Farrelly Brothers‟ The Heartbreak Kid, opposite
Ben Stiller, and Semi-Pro, starring Will Ferrell. He next appears in Talmadge Cooley‟s
Patriotville with Justin Long. Corddry previously starred as Bobby Dukes in the indie comedy
BlackBalled: The Bobby Dukes Story; and also appeared in Todd Phillips‟ hit comedy Old
School with Will Ferrell and Vince Vaughn; Blades of Glory, with Will Ferrell and Jon Heder, and
Tom Dey‟s Failure to Launch, starring Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker. He
just wrapped What Happens in Vegas with Ashton Kutcher and Cameron Diaz.
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Roger Bart (Dr. Beecher)
A gifted actor, Roger Bart‟s tremendous presence extends to both the small and big screens, as
well as to the stage.
Bart can currently next be seen on Broadway in the musical “Young Frankenstein” as the title
character, „Dr. Frederick Frankenstein.‟ Based on the smash hit 1974 film, Young Frankenstein
is the wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Mary Shelley classic from the comic genius of Mel
Brooks. Co-starring Megan Mullally, Sutton Foster, Shuler Hensley, Fred Applegate and
Christopher Fitzgerald, the show is directed by Susan Stroman.
Bart next appears in the ensemble film Midnight Meat Train with Leslie Bibb, Bradley Cooper
and Brooke Shields. The mystery thriller will be released by Lionsgate.
Previous film roles include „Carmen Ghia‟ for Universal‟s film version of The Producers, directed
by Susan Stroman, and the role of the prosecuting attorney in Ridley Scott‟s American
Gangster, starring Russell Crowe and Denzel Washington. Bart also starred in Paramount
Pictures‟ The Stepford Wives as the gay Stepford wife. The role was created for Bart based on
his flamboyant role in the Broadway production of The Producers. Additional films include:
Hostel 2, the sequel to the hit horror film, Jeff Garlin‟s independent comedy I Want Someone to
Eat Cheese With The Insider, starring Al Pacino and Russell Crowe, Disney‟s Hercules (singing
voice of Young Hercules), and The Lady and the Tramp II (singing voice of Scamp).
On Broadway, Bart originated the role of „Carmen Ghia‟ in “The Producers,” the smash hit
musical by Mel Brooks and Director Susan Stroman. Bart received Tony and Drama Desk
nominations for the role. In 1999, Bart received Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best
Featured Actor in a Musical as „Snoopy‟ in the revival of “You‟re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,”
directed by Michael Mayer. Other Broadway credits include: “The Frogs,” starring opposite
Nathan Lane, and “Triumph of Love.”
On television, he portrayed „George Williams,‟ the menacing pharmacist on ABC‟s hit
“Desperate Housewives” and starred in “The Lost Room,” Sci Fi‟s hit miniseries event. Other
television credits include: the CBS comedy “Bram and Alice,” directed by James Burrows, “Law
& Order,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” and “The George Carlin Show.”
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A native of New Jersey, Bart currently divides his time between New York and Los Angeles.
David Krumholtz (Goldstein)
Krumholtz currently stars as “Charlie Eppes” in the hit CBS crime show "Numb3rs,". He stars
alongside Rob Morrow in the story of an FBI agent who enlists his mathematician brother for an
unconventional approach at crime-solving.
Krumholtz also recently landed a deal with producer Judd Apatow: He will write and topline
Attorneys at Raw for Universal, a comedy about two young lawyers who want to be rappers.
Krumholtz will also return in New Line Cinema‟s Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo
Bay, due out in April 2008.
He was last seen co-starring alongside John C. Reilly as a record producer in Columbia
Pictures‟ comedy Walk Hard, chronicling the messy life of fictional music legend Dewey Cox.
Prior to that, he co-starred alongside Anthony Hopkins and Demi Moore in Emilio Estevez's
SAG and Golden Globe-nominated film Bobby, the story of Senator Robert F. Kennedy's 1968
assassination at the Ambassador Hotel.
He was seen in the Universal's Oscar-winning movie Ray, for director Taylor Hackford.
Krumholtz also starred in Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny and in the cult-comedy favorite
Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle. In addition, he received critical acclaim for his starring
role in the FX tele-picture "Big Shot: Confessions of a Campus Bookie."
More credits for the big screen include Serenity, the feature-length adaptation of the sci-fi drama
"Firefly," Santa Clause 2, Slums of Beverly Hills, The Mexican, Sidewalks of New York,
Scorched, Ten Things I Hate About You, and Barry Levinson's critically-acclaimed Liberty
Heights.
Krumholtz currently resides in Los Angeles.
Eddie Kaye Thomas (Rosenberg)
Eddie Kaye Thomas is a young actor who has been able to make the difficult transition
from theatre to film and television successfully. Born and raised in New York City, Thomas
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began his career on stage at age 11 in John Guare‟s Lincoln Center production of “Four
Baboons Adoring the Sun.” Thomas returned to the stage at age 17 in the Broadway Revival of
“The Diary of Anne Franke,” opposite Natalie Portman and was most recently seen in “Dog
Sees God.”
Thomas can currently be seen on the Fox sitcom “Till Death,” opposite Brad Garrett,
Jolie Fisher and Kat Foster. Thomas plays the role of Jeff Woodcock, a young newlywed who
moves next door to a veteran married couple. Now in its second season, the comedy “Till
Death” tells the story of the two couples‟ delicate interaction in everyday life.
Appearing in over twenty films to date, one of Thomas‟ most memorable roles is the
character of „Finch‟ in the cult-classic American Pie trilogy. Other film credits for Thomas
include: James Toback‟s Black and White, opposite Brooke Shields and Robert Downey Jr.;
Project Greenlight's Stolen Summer, with Aidan Quinn and Bonnie Hunt; Nick Gomez's
Illtown, with Michael Rappaport and Lily Taylor; Tom Green's Freddy Got Fingered and
Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle. Thomas was recently seen in On the Road with
Judas, which premiered in competition at the Sundance Film Festival last year, and will next be
seen in Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay.
Thomas has been seen in numerous off-Broadway productions and has worked with
some of the most respected theatre companies in New York, such as The New Group,
Signature Theatre Company, and LaMama. In addition to his film and theatre work, Thomas‟
television credits include: the WB sitcom "Off Centre" and the dramedy "Brutally Normal." He
has appeared in such shows as "CSI," "The X-Files," "The Twilight Zone," "Miss Match" and
"Law and Order.” His voice can also currently be heard on the Fox animated series "American
Dad."
Jack Conley (Deputy Frye)
Jack Conley has worked on a variety of films and television, most recently including: G-Force,
Harold And Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, Over Her Dead Body, Fun With Dick And
Jane, The Gray Man, Criminal, The Alibi, “Cold Case,” “Grey's Anatomy,” “The Closer,” and “Big
Day.”
Paula Garces (Maria)
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As a young girl in her native country Colombia, Paula always knew she wanted a career in the
performing arts. It‟s no surprise that when her family decided to move to the United States, a
young Paula will go after her dream. The young starlet made her acting debut in 1999 when she
landed a role as “Pilar” on the Emmy-winning daytime series “Guiding Light”. What started off
as a three episode deal, turned into a three year contract as she won the hearts of the TV
viewing audience.
With a killer combination of beauty, infectious enthusiasm and pure talent, Paula Garces
captured the attention of all the right people in Hollywood when she starred in Paramount‟s
2002 teen sci-fi adventure Clockstoppers, starring opposite Jesse Bradford. Now impressing all
the casting directors and producers in Hollywood, Paula went ahead to star in New Line
Cinema‟s 2004 Mega Comedy Hit Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, proving once again she
can top the box office the second time around. Due to much success on the big screen, Paula
went ahead to star in the critically-acclaimed Sundance Indie favorite, Spin, starring opposite
Ruben Blades and in Man of the House, starring opposite Tommy Lee Jones.
In 2005, Paula decided to take a short break from the entertainment industry to spend quality
time with her daughter and husband but due to her surprise. However, she reemerged in 2006
with a reoccurring role as the new CSI Tech for "Law & Order: SVU". While filming “Law &
Order: SVU,” Paula was offered a role she could not refuse, to sign on as a new cast
member on F/X channels hit television series "The Shield". Paula's character "Officer Tina
Hallon" brought new story lines and such high ratings that her contract was extended for three
more seasons. Once again securing her position as a rising Latina star!
With a starring role on the hit television series “The Shield”, Garces has expanded her career
and is now working behind the cameras as Executive Producer on the animated short film Red
Princess Blues, already receiving great reviews at numerous film festivals, and also taking on
the role as producer and star to the major feature film version of Red Princess Blues already in
pre-production. This Latin beauty is not consumed by her success; she has maintained a level
of sincerity, inspiration and true commitment to the arts.
Danneel Harris (Vanessa)
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Louisiana native, Danneel Harris, moved to Los Angeles with a clear passion to entertain. She
quickly jumped onto Hollywood‟s radar, landing recurring roles on "JAG", "Joey" and “What I
Like About You”.
In 2005, Harris scored the recurring role of vixen “Rachel Gattina” on the hit CW show “One
Tree Hill”. In 2006, she was made a series regular and her character became a fan favorite.
Harris completed two films in 2007, the first being the sketch comedy film Parental Guidance
Suggested with Jamie Kennedy and Michael Cera. The second is 10 Inch Hero which co-stars
Clea DuVall.
Most recently, Harris has landed starring roles in two big screen comedies for Screen Gems:
Maxim’s Fired Up and Maxim’s Mardi Gras.
Maxim’s Fired Up, is a comedy about two popular guys who decide a two week stint at
Cheerleading Camp is a perfect opportunity to have lots of meaningless romantic encounters
with scantly clad girls. Their plans go awry when one of the boys falls in love with the charming
Carly, played by Harris.
In Maxim’s Mardi Gras, Harris plays a girl who lives in New Orleans who meets up with a group
of friends who are traveling the country in search of the ultimate party. Mardi Gras will film in
Louisiana this April.
Harris has also worked as a model for such companies as Juicy Jeans and Big Sexy Hair. Her
other credits include the comedic short “The Plight of Clowana,” “Charmed,” “CSI,” and the
daytime soap “One Life to Live.”
Eric Winter (Colton)
Eric Winter is taking Hollywood by storm. After becoming one of daytime‟s biggest stars while
working on “Days of Our Lives,” he is now making the transition smoothly to primetime and
feature films. Since retiring his role on the soap over two years ago, Eric has already built up a
substantial body of work. Winter stars in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, for
New Line Cinema which will be released April 2008. He starred in the CBS pilot “Viva Laughlin”
opposite Hugh Jackman which was based on the popular BBC version. He also has a recurring
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role on ABC‟s hit series, “Brothers & Sisters,” playing Rob Lowe‟s younger brother. In addition
to the numerous Guest Stars Eric has shot, he also played the lead in the Lifetime Channel‟s
MOW, “Island Heat: The Break In,” opposite Kelly Carlson. His guest appearances have
included, “CSI,” “Love Inc.,” “Charmed,” “Smallville,” “Pepper Dennis,” “South Beach,” and “Just
Legal,” to name a few.
In addition to acting, Eric has done a variety of modeling starting with the Tommy Hilfiger
Campaign with Rebecca Romijn Stamos. The print ads featured every Hilfiger line. From this
point on, modeling consumed Eric‟s life. He took time off of school to further his career.
Modeling took him all over Europe where he would strut the elite runways of Milan, Paris,
London and Spain. Eric did print ads for Iceberg, Sky Vodka, Men‟s Italian Vogue and Diesel
Clothing. Amid a successful modeling career, he finished his degree from UCLA in Psychology.
With his charm and good looks, Eric Winter is not going anywhere except to the top. He resides
in Los Angeles.
Neil Patrick Harris (“Neil Patrick Harris”)
Equally successful on stage and screen, Neil Patrick Harris continues to demonstrate his
creative versatility. He can currently be seen in the stand-out role on the CBS comedy series
“How I Met Your Mother,” which has garnered him rave reviews. Harris plays Barney, who has
endless, sometimes outrageous opinions, a penchant for suits and foolproof ways to pick up
women. In December 2005, he headlined the Network‟s top-rated movie for television of the
year “The Christmas Blessing.” He also starred in Arthur Miller‟s “All My Sons” at the Geffen
Playhouse during his summer hiatus in 2006.
No stranger to theater, he previously starred in three consecutive Broadway productions;
including the dual roles of The Balladeer and Lee Harvey Oswald in the Sondheim/Weidman
Tony Award-winning musical “Assassins” at famed Studio 54. The show tells the story of
several historical presidential assassinations in America. He has also assumed the role of Anne
Heche‟s unexpected suitor in the Pulitzer Prize-winning production of “Proof,” as well as that of
the exuberant emcee who comments on the story of the Kit Kat Klub in the musical “Cabaret.”
Post-Broadway, Harris starred in the London Chocolate Factory production of Jonathan
Larson‟s musical „Tick, Tick…Boom!”
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A sampling of Harris‟ film work includes the New Line Cinema comedy Harold & Kumar Go to
White Castle, in which he actually portrays himself and steals virtually every scene in the
process. Additionally, he has appeared as the “token White guy” in Imagine/Universal‟s hit
urban comedy Undercover Brother with Eddie Griffin, in Starship Troopers alongside his
Undercover Brother co-star, Denise Richards; The Next Best Thing with Rupert Everett and
Madonna; The Proposition with Madeline Stowe and Kenneth Brannagh, and his feature debut
in the warmly-received coming-of-age story, Clara’s Heart starring opposite Whoopi Goldberg
which garnered him a Golden Globe nomination.
Harris continues his work on the small screen since his “early days” as the adored title character
in Doogie Howser, M.D. From the NBC comedy series “Stark Raving Mad” opposite Tony
Shaloub, the CBS mini-series “Joan of Arc” with Leelee Sobieski and the acclaimed Peter
O‟Toole, to Anne Archer‟s young lover in Showtime‟s “The Man in the Attic,” the classic TNT
telefilm “Cold Sassy Tree” opposite Faye Dunaway, and the top-rated CBS film, “The Wedding
Dress” with Tyne Daly. He‟s also made notable guest appearances on such shows as “Will &
Grace,” “Ed” and “Boomtown.”
The multi-talented Harris also enjoys a busy schedule in the world of voice-over, lending his
pipes to the likes of “The Simpsons,” “Justice League” and the duo role: Peter Parker and
“Spider-Man” in the top-rated MTV animated series. His voice work includes creating character
voices for numerous books on tape, some of which are Slake‟s Limbo, Ribsy and the award
winning children‟s book, Henry Huggins.
Rounding out his accomplishments are Harris‟ additional theater credits, including critically
acclaimed performances in the Los Angeles production of “Rent,” “Romeo & Juliet” at the Old
Globe Theater in San Diego, and the concert production of “Reprise! Sweeney Todd” at Lincoln
Center in New York.
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harris currently resides in Los Angeles.
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ABOUT THE FILMMAKERS
Jon Hurwitz & Hayden Schlossberg (Writers/Directors)
Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg are the writing team that brought you Harold & Kumar Go
to White Castle. They first met and became friends in high-school in New Jersey, selling their
first script, Filthy, to MGM while seniors in college. Hurwitz was studying finance at the
University of Pennsylvania‟s Wharton School of Business and Schlossberg a history major at
the University of Chicago with plans of attending law school. Upon selling Filthy, they moved to
Hollywood to begin a career in the entertainment industry.
Their first taste of success came in 2004 with New Line Cinema‟s uproarious comedy, Harold &
Kumar Go to White Castle, a film hailed as “an instant stoner classic” by Richard Roeper of The
Chicago Sun Times. The film garnered critical acclaim and a legion of fans, launching Harold &
Kumar to immediate cult status. The New York Times said that it‟s “one of the few recent
comedies that persuasively, and intelligently, engage the social realities of contemporary
multicultural America.
On April 25th, 2008 Hurwitz & Schlossberg make their feature film directorial debut on the highly
anticipated sequel, Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, a film they also wrote and
co-produced with Mandate Pictures.
Hurwitz & Schlossberg have several projects in development at various studios and production
companies.
Hurwitz and Schlossberg currently reside in the Los Angeles area.
Greg Shapiro (Producer)
Greg Shapiro is a Los Angeles based producer whose recent credits include the upcoming,
Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, for New Line Cinema and Mandate Pictures,
written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, starring John Cho and Kal Penn.
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Also upcoming is The Hurt Locker, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, starring Jeremy Renner,
Anthony Mackie, Guy Pearce and Ralph Fiennes.
Past credits include Rise, written and directed by Sebastian Gutierrez, starring Lucy Lui and
Michael Chiklis, financed by Ghost House Pictures, and Neverwas, written and directed by
Joshua Michael Stern, starring Ian McKellen, Aaron Eckhart, and Brittany Murphy, financed by
Kimmel Entertainment. Other credits include: Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle, directed by
Danny Leiner, released by New Line Cinema, and The Rules of Attraction, based on the book
by Bret Easton Ellis, adapted and directed by Roger Avary, starring James Van der Beek,
Shannyn Sossamon and Jessica Biel, released by Lionsgate. Also, Investigating Sex, directed
by Alan Rudolph, starring Neve Campbell, Dermot Mulroney and Julie Delpy, and Simpatico,
based on the play by Sam Shepard, directed by Matthew Warchus, and starring Nick Nolte, Jeff
Bridges, and Sharon Stone, released by Fine Line Cinema.
Upcoming projects in development include, The Rum Diary, based on the novel by Hunter S.
Thompson, adapted and to be directed by Bruce Robinson, and to star Johnny Depp, and also
Detachment, written by Carl Lund, to be directed by Tony Kaye, and to star Peter Sarsgaard.
Nathan Kahane (Producer)
As president of Mandate Pictures, Nathan Kahane is the creative force who oversees the
development and production of the Company‟s growing feature slate while nurturing
relationships with high-level talent. He also oversees the daily creative operations of Ghost
House Pictures, Mandate‟s joint venture with Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert. At Ghost House, he
has been responsible for attracting new voices such as David Slade (30 Days of Night), Takashi
Shimizu (The Grudge and The Grudge 2) and the Pang Brothers (The Messengers), to the
shingle‟s expanding roster of talent.
At Mandate, Kahane has produced or overseen the production of films such as the Academy
Award®-winning (for Best Original Screenplay, Diablo Cody) $130 million box office sleeper
sensation Juno, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Stranger Than Fiction, Harold and Kumar
Go To White Castle, and its sequel Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, the Pang
Brothers‟ The Messengers, and the $188 million box office worldwide hit The Grudge as well as
its sequel The Grudge 2.
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Kahane is currently shepherding a production and development slate that includes such films
as director Peter Sollett‟s Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, written by Lorene Scafaria and
starring Michael Cera and Kat Dennings, Rodrigo Garcia‟s Passengers, and Strangers, starring
Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman. Mandate's feature film roster also includes Ghost House
Pictures‟ Drag Me To Hell, written and directed by the legendary Sam Raimi (Spider Man
franchise, Evil Dead), Drew Barrymore‟s directorial debut Whip It, starring Ellen Page,
director/writer Michael Landers‟ thriller Peacock, and an untitled romantic comedy from The
Devil Wears Prada screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna.
Kahane recently helped expand Mandate‟s filmmaker relationships by inking exclusive
production deals with Academy Award® winner Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List, Gangs of New
York) and writer/director Zach Helm.
Joe Drake (Executive Producer)
Joe Drake is co-Chief Operating Officer of Lionsgate and President, Lionsgate Motion Picture
Group / CEO, Mandate Pictures.
When Mandate Pictures was acquired by Lionsgate in August 2007, Joe Drake returned to the
Company whose international theatrical business he headed six years ago in the new capacity
of co-Chief Operating Officer and President of Lionsgate‟s Motion Picture Group. He
has oversight of all areas of the company‟s theatrical production, distribution, marketing,
acquisition and international theatrical operations. He joins Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer,
Jon Feltheimer, Vice Chairman, Michael Burns, and co-Chief Operating Officer, Steve Beeks, as
a member of the senior decision-making team of the fast-growing $1.3 billion diversified
company, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio.
Joe is founder and CEO of Mandate Pictures, an independent entertainment company
dedicated to the self-financing, development and production of filmed entertainment. Drake and
his partner Nathan Kahane have been the driving forces since launching the Company
(previously Senator International) in 2005, which aims to deliver broad-appeal films to studios
and major independents worldwide.
Mandate has carved a distinctive signature in the world marketplace with the blockbuster The
Grudge, Harold & Kumar and Boogeyman franchises and a diverse portfolio of other hits
including Academy Award®-winning (for Best Original Screenplay, Diablo Cody) Juno, starring
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Ellen Page (Hard Candy), Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner and Jason Bateman, which has
already grossed more than $130 million at the domestic box office, and Marc Forster's Stranger
Than Fiction. Mandate's partnership with Ghost House Pictures, the successful horror label run
as a joint venture between Drake and Kahane with legendary filmmaker Sam Raimi (Spider Man
franchise, The Evil Dead) and his partner Rob Tapert, has produced such hits as the Pang
Brothers‟ The Messengers, the $188 million box office worldwide hit The Grudge as well as its
sequel The Grudge 2, and David Slade‟s 30 Days of Night.
Formerly president of Lionsgate International, Drake structured that division to be a premiere
supplier of theatrical feature films to the independent world. He oversaw worldwide sales and
distribution of Lionsgate‟s international programming and championed such projects as Nicolas
Cage‟s Shadow of The Vampire, the highly controversial American Psycho and the Oscar ® and
Golden Globe ® nominee Amores Perros. Before joining Lionsgate, Drake served as senior vice
president of international theatrical at Rysher Entertainment.
Carsten Lorenz (Executive Producer)
Former film critic Carsten Lorenz started his career in Germany where he studied with Roland
Emmerich at the Munich Film School and produced Roland‟s early work Moon 44 and Ghost
Chase.
After moving to Los Angeles and studies at the American Film Institute, Carsten‟s first US
production was Eye of the Storm, starring Dennis Hopper and Lara Flynn Boyle.
As CEO US operations of Germany‟s financing and distribution giant, Senator, Carsten Lorenz
paved the way and oversaw Oscar-nominated films such as Neil Jordan's Crying Game and
Peter Jackson's Heavenly Creatures.
After a stint as independent producer (Invasion of Privacy, Prince Valiant, Little Vampire) he
rejoined Senator where he executive produced Trapped, The Grudge, Boogeyman and Harold
and Kumar Go To White Castle.
Once again venturing into the world of independent producing, most recently Carsten Lorenz
co-produced Wim Wender‟s Don’t Come Knocking (Cannes competition entry 2005) and
Neverwas, starring Ian McKellen and Brittany Murphy.
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Free-lancing for his friends at Mandate, (formerly Senator) he executive produced Rise, starring
Lucy Lui and Michael Chicklis, as well Harold & Kumar Escape From Gauntanamo Bay – shot in
Shreveport.
His production Smother, starring Liv Tyler and Diane Keaton is getting readied for distribution.
Currently, Carsten Lorenz is back in Shreveport to executive produce Tekken, based on the
longest running and arguably most successful martial arts video game.
Daryn Okada, ASC (Director of Photography)
Daryn Okada recently completed cinematography on the feature Baby Mama, starring Tina Fey,
Amy Pohler, Greg Kinneer and Steve Martin for director-writer Michael McCullers and The
Goods, staring Jeremy Piven for director Neal Brennen. Previously he photographed Sex and
Death 101 for director-writer Daniel Waters and Jessica Bendiger's Stick It for Touchstone
Pictures. He has previously collaborated with director Mark Waters on the hit comedy Mean
Girls for Paramount and the Dreamworks Picture Just Like Heaven, starring Reese
Witherspoon. Daryn is currently working with Mark Waters on the New Line Cinema picture The
Ghost of Girlfriends Past, starring Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner and
Michael Douglas.
He began experimenting with a Super 8 mm camera during his pre-teen years. He graduated
from high school at the age of 16 and began working part-time as a projectionist at East Los
Angeles City College as well as getting hands on experience donating time on student and
independent film crews.
During the mid-1980s, he completed 2 low budget features and was shooting commercials
when his career was put on hold for several years after being injured in a helicopter crash while
shooting aerial footage. Upon his return to cinematography he photographed several
independent films during the late 80s and earned an Outstanding Achievement Award
nomination from the American Society of Cinematographers for the Emmy nominated mini-
series In a Child in 1991.
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Okada has compiled more than 30 feature credits, including: Dr. Dolittle 2, Anna Karenina,
Captain Ron, My Father the Hero, Halloween: H20, Lake Placid, Joe Somebody, and the
television series pilot "Dawson's Creek."
He is currently President of the American Society of Cinematographers and a member of the
Science and Technology Council of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Tony Fanning (Production Designer)
Born and raised in Glen Cove, Long Island, Fanning graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
from the North Carolina School of the Arts and received his MFA at the Yale School of Drama.
His initial foray into motion pictures was as the set designer on a small film. He then became
the assistant art director on HBO‟s “Tales from the Crypt” and art director for the pilot of Aaron
Spelling‟s hit television series, “Melrose Place.”
As a Production Designer, Tony has twice designed for Director Andrew Fleming (Nancy Drew
and Hamlet 2) and his latest credit with Director Jim Sheridan on Brothers.
Most recently Fanning was art director on Steven Spielberg‟s Munich and supervising art
director on his film, War of the Worlds, both with production designer Rick Carter. He had
previously worked with Carter on the films Forrest Gump, Amistad, What Lies Beneath and
Polar Express.
He was production designer Jon Hutman‟s assistant art director on Quiz Show and Nell and art
director on his film What Women Want. He served as art director for Leslie McDonald on three
films (Boys Life 2, The Indian in the Cupboard and Intolerable Cruelty) and was supervising art
director for McDonald on Jingle All The Way.
Among his other feature credits as art director are the films October Sky, Spiderman and
Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.
As part of the Production Design team, Fanning has received two Art Directors Guild Awards:
for Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events under designer Rick Heinrichs and the
pilot of “The West Wing” television series under designer Jon Hutman (which also received an
Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction for a Single Camera Series). In addition, as art director
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under Rick Carter, Fanning was nominated for an Art Directors Guild Award for Steven
Spielberg‟s Amistad.
Fanning‟s theatre credits range from the Broadway production of “Two Trains Running” at the
Walter Kerr Theatre to the national tour of “The Who‟s Tommy.” He has over thirty regional
theatrical productions to his credit including the sets for the San Diego Opera production of “Don
Pasquale;” “Harriet‟s Return” at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles; “Lobby Hero,” “Art,” “All
My Sons,” “Good As New” and “An Ideal Husband” (among others) for the South Coast
Repertory Company; “A Midsummer Night‟s Dream” and ”Vita and Virginia” at The Globe.
Shawn Holly Cookson (Costume Designer)
Shawn Holly Cookson‟s film credits include: The Last Time, The Grudge, Kiss the Bride and
Sonny, among others.
Her television credits include a variety of TV movies as well as series work on “The Larry
Sanders Show” and “The Nanny.” She was nominated four consecutive years for an Emmy
award for her costuming work on “The Nanny.”
She is currently working on Tekken.
Jeff Freeman, ACE (Editor)
Jeff Freeman has worked as film editor on such films as: Hamlet 2, with Steve Coogan,
Catherine Keener, Elizabeth Shue and David Arquette, directed by Andrew Fleming; Nancy
Drew, with Emma Roberts, also directed by Andrew Fleming; Just Friends, with Ryan Reynolds,
Amy Smart and Anna Ferris; Cruel Intentions, with Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Philippe, and
Reese Witherspoon; and The Only Thrill starring Diane Keaton, Sam Shepard, Robert Patrick
and Diane Lane.
He also edited Columbia Pictures‟ The Craft, (also directed by Andrew Fleming) starring Neve
Campbell, Robin Tunney, and Faruza Balk, and The Waterdance, with Eric Stoltz, Wesley
Snipes, William Forsythe and Helen Hunt, which won the 1992 Sundance Film Festival
Audience Award and The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award.
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He also served as editor on Mad Love for Touchstone Pictures, with Drew Barrymore and Chris
O‟Donnell, and Frankie and Johnny Are Married, with Michael and Lisa Pressman and Alan
Rosenberg. In addition, he worked on, The Crow 2 - City of Angels, Highlander 2 -The
Quickening, Bad Dreams and Bulletproof.
His television credits include “Reefer Madness, the Movie Musical” for Showtime, with Neve
Campbell, Christian Campbell, Kirsten Bell, Alan Cumming, Steven Weber and Anna Gasteyer,
and was nominated for the ACE Eddie Award for “Reefer Madness” in the category of Best
Movie for Non-Commercial Television in 2006.
He also edited the pilot for the Showtime series “The “L” Word”, the pilot and series for David E.
Kelley‟s “The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire”, Disney‟s “Angels in the End Zone”, USA
Cable Movies “Deconstructing Sarah” and “Deep Red”, NBC‟s Telefilms “A Family Torn Apart”,
“The Revenge of Al Capone”, and Disney Channel‟s “The Ernest Green Story”, winner of the
1994 Peabody Award.
His education includes UCLA Film School, a BA in film with Magna Cum Laude honors.
He is represented by the Jay Gilbert at Paradigm Agency in Beverly Hills, and currently lives in
Santa Monica, California.
George S. Clinton (Composer)
Over the last 20 years, George S. Clinton has built a career that reaches far beyond the world of
music. Branching out into several forms of entertainment, Clinton has written and produced
nearly 60 scores for film and television to date. His recent projects include: Austin Powers in
Goldmember, Joe Somebody, starring Tim Allen, 3000 Miles to Graceland, starring Kurt
Russell, Kevin Costner and Courteney Cox, and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me,
starring Mike Myers, for which he earned a Grammy nomination and a BMI Film and Television
Music Award. Clinton‟s first BMI honor came in 1996 for his work on Mortal Kombat.
Clinton began his professional musical career as a songwriter, arranger and session musician in
Nashville, Tennessee while earning degrees in both music and drama from Middle Tennessee
State University. The summer after graduation, he attended the Atlanta Pop Festival and upon
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hearing Joe Cocker perform "With a Little Help from My Friends," soon left his native
Chattanooga, bound for Los Angeles and a career in the music industry.
Once he arrived in Los Angeles, Clinton became a staff writer for Warner Brothers Music and
his songs were recorded by such high caliber artists as Michael Jackson, Joe Cocker, Johnny
Mathis and Smokey Robinson. He also continued arranging music and performing session
work while making four albums for MCA, Elektra, ABC and Arista as a recording artist. In
addition, his critically acclaimed George Clinton Band attracted the attention of a movie
producer, giving Clinton the opportunity to score his first film, Cheech and Chong Still Smokin'
and, later, another Cheech and Chong film, The Corsican Brothers.
Clinton developed his craft by scoring "ninja" movies for Cannon Films as well as network and
cable television movies and miniseries, using his writing skills in a wide range of genres and
musical styles. The soulful, erotic jazz for Zalman King's Showtime anthology Red Shoe Diaries
quickly developed a following and brought more public awareness of his work. Soon Clinton‟s
musical inventiveness and versatility in both orchestral and popular idioms allowed him to
contribute memorable scores to such diverse films as the hit comedy Austin Powers:
International Man of Mystery; the sexy thriller Wild Things; the otherworldly, yet romantic The
Astronaut's Wife, starring Charlize Theron and Johnny Depp; the period drama Lansky, written
by David Mamet and starring Richard Dreyfuss; and the wrestling comedy Ready to Rumble.
Additionally, Clinton has written several concert works and collaborated on three musicals:
Family Love and Spirit of the Mountain, both commissioned by the Cumberland County
Playhouse, and That Other Woman's Child, which enjoyed critical acclaim and a long run at the
Callboard Theatre in Los Angeles.
Clinton currently resides in Tarzana, California with his wife and daughter.
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