Cast | Van Wilder 2 The Rise Of Taj

Would you want to see Taj return for a modern-day sequel? Drop your thoughts in the comments below

Cozens remains active in British film and TV, often playing comedic or period roles. He has appeared in The Crown (in a minor role), The King’s Speech , and various BBC dramas. He also co-founded a theatre company, balancing screen work with his first love: the stage. Holly Davidson (Sadie) As the brash, sexually liberated American student who helps Taj navigate Camford’s weird customs, Holly Davidson brought a slice of American Pie energy to the UK.

The Rise of Taj is a time capsule of 2006 comedy. But for fans of Harold & Kumar , The Walking Dead , or just weird early-2000s sequels, revisiting this cast is a fun trip down memory lane. van wilder 2 the rise of taj cast

In 2006, the raunchy college comedy National Lampoon’s Van Wilder got a spin-off sequel that nobody quite asked for but somehow delivered a cult following anyway. Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj followed the scene-stealing sidekick Taj Mahal Badalandabad (played by Kal Penn) from Coolidge College to the hallowed, snooty halls of England’s Camford University.

Kal Penn proves he can lead a comedy with manic energy. Lauren Cohan gives a pre-fame performance that hints at her dramatic range. And the supporting cast of British and American character actors sells the absurd culture-clash premise. Would you want to see Taj return for a modern-day sequel

While many remember him as Kumar in the Harold & Kumar franchise, Penn has had a fascinating post- Van Wilder career. He served as the Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement under President Barack Obama. He’s also had major TV roles in Designated Survivor , House (as Dr. Lawrence Kutner), and Clarice . Most recently, he stars in the legal dramedy The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix. Lauren Cohan (Charlotte Higginson) Playing the love interest—a cynical, pre-med student who falls for Taj’s bizarre charm—was a pre- Walking Dead Lauren Cohan. Her Charlotte provided the straight-laced anchor to Taj’s chaos.

Rathman has worked steadily in television, with guest spots on CSI: Miami , How I Met Your Mother , and Shameless . He’s also a successful commercial actor and voice artist. He largely left the “gross-out comedy” genre behind for more family-friendly and dramatic fare. The Cameo You Forgot: Ryan Reynolds Technically, the film promised a "special appearance" by Ryan Reynolds as the original Van Wilder. In reality? It’s a split-second, non-speaking shot of Reynolds in a yearbook photo and a brief voiceover. It was a marketing gimmick, but it still counts. He also co-founded a theatre company, balancing screen

While it lacked Ryan Reynolds’ original charm, the film thrived on its absurd fish-out-of-water premise and a cast of early-2000s character actors, comedians, and future stars. Let’s look back at the eclectic cast of The Rise of Taj and see what they’ve been up to since the beer bongs were put away. The heart of the movie, Kal Penn, stepped out of the “hilarious sidekick” shadow to carry the film. As the sexually voracious, oddly wise, and perpetually energetic Taj, Penn gave the role 110%.