Eugene Levy Initially Declined Role In ‘American Pie’ After Reading the Raunchy Script

Eugene Levy is a sensation who got huge recognition through his appearance in American Pie. However, it appears the actor was not impressed with his character. Reportedly, Eugene Levy said that he first refused the role of his character in ‘American Pie’ because of the film’s explicit sex scenes.

Eugene Levy may not have played Jim’s father in the enduring role of ‘American Pie.’ Levy revealed during a Friday appearance on the BBC’s “The Graham Norton Show” that he first considered declining the chance to star in the 1999 comedy. Three sequels to ‘American Pie’ have since been released: ‘American Pie 2’ in 2001; ‘American Wedding’ in 2002; and ‘American Reunion’ in 2012.

Jason Biggs, Natasha Lyonne, and Jennifer Coolidge, who starred in “The White Lotus,” were further “American Pie” alums. Yet, Levy, claimed that after reading the script for the first movie, he was disappointed, despite the franchise’s later popularity.

“I said no initially. Reading the script, you get to, you know, page four, and somebody is masturbating into a glass of beer and then somebody else unknowingly picks up the beer and kind of drinks it.”

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“Two pages later there’s somebody performing oral sex on a… I’m building up to a point here.”

Levy spoke for a moment before Norton interrupted him and jokingly apologized to fellow guests Hugh Jackman, Dame Judi Dench, and Michael B. Jordan for the graphic conversation. Levy further said, “I’m building up to a point here.” Levy was unhappy with his performance as well as the sexual aspect of the movie.

According to the way it was written, “I didn’t even like the part,” he stated. Levy didn’t appreciate the satirical “hip dad” portrayal of Jim’s father as wanting to be friends with his son. Levy was informed that he could improvise every scene before he agreed to take the role. Levy has previously acknowledged altering his ‘American Pie’ character.

“I don’t want to play that. I think a dad should be the kind of dad that nobody wants to hang around with when they’re a kid – just a square dad trying to do the right thing.”

 “And then I liked the way the improvisations were going, it was kind of turning out the way I wanted it to, so I said ok.”

The ‘Schitt’s Creek’ actor admitted to the Huffington Post in 2015 that he initially thought the scripted version of his character “a touch frightening.” But, a week prior to the start of filming, Paul Weitz and Adam Herz allowed Levy to improvise all of his sequences with Biggs after he expressed his worries to them.

“I’ve got a big soft spot for that movie – it was great fun, had a great improvisational feel to it”, according to Levy. However, according to Screen Rant, “American Pie” made more than $100 million at the US box office. What are your thoughts on the film? For further updates stay tuned to Thirsty.

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