‘Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas’ Director in Talks for ‘Family Getaway’

Director Todd Strauss-Schulson made his feature film debut this past weekend with the raunchy stoner comedy A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. Now the director is being pursued for the family action-comedy film Family Getaway. Huh?

If you’re scratching your head wondering how the director responsible for putting 3D genitalia and a coked-up three-year-old on the big screen has become the top choice for a high-profile family action-comedy film, it’s not as confusing as it sounds.

While it may not seem like a logical step at first glance, there are actually quite a few similarities between the two films. Family Getaway, which made the 2010 Black List, is about a family that has to go on the run during the holidays when a killer comes after the father: an undercover assassin.

As The Hollywood Reporter explains, “Harold & Kumar was a good showcase for Strauss-Schulson’s skills, allowing him to guide the pot-smoking duo through a host of comedic and action-oriented situations.” With an action-heavy on-the-road plot, Family Getaway seems like it could offer similar situations.

In Hollywood, it’s all about putting butts in seats, and Strauss-Schulson’s box office success (given Harold & Kumar‘s low budget) with his feature debut has definitely raised his profile. Though his work prior to Harold & Kumar consists mostly of comedy shorts, it’s safe to bet that he’ll be taking on a number of higher-profile projects in coming years.

Although it won’t offer him the same opportunity to push the limits of comedy (and good taste), Family Getaway sounds like the kind of high-concept comedy that can help Strauss-Schulson take the next step in his career.

What did you think of A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas and do you think Todd Strauss-Schulson can translate his success with the stoner comedy genre into a broader action-comedy film?

Source: The Hollywood Reporter