Trivia / Van Wilder

• Based on a True Story: The movie is based loosely ((or maybe not so loosely)) on the college shenanigans of comedian Bert Kreischer
• Money, Dear Boy: According to Kal Penn, he only begrudgingly took the role of Taj, which he found demeaning and racist, when his agent told him she couldn't get him any more acting work unless he had more credits on his resume. When she first called to offer him the role, Penn angrily hung up on her.
• Star-Making Role: This film demonstrated Ryan Reynolds' ability to elevate lowbrow material with his sardonic charm and set him on the path to becoming a Hollywood leading man in more mainstream work.