The filmmakers received license permission from White Castle in 2002, after also consulting with Krispy Kreme White Castle also contributed to the film's marketing campaign, releasing tie-in products at their restaurants. Hurwitz and Schlossberg developed Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle based on experiences and people from when they attended Randolph High School.
The first installment in the Harold & Kumar franchise, the film follows Harold Lee (Cho) and Kumar Patel (Penn) on their adventure to a White Castle restaurant after smoking marijuana. Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle (released in some international markets as Harold & Kumar Get the Munchies) is a 2004 American buddy stoner comedy film directed by Danny Leiner, written by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg, and stars John Cho, Kal Penn, and Neil Patrick Harris.