‘White Castle’ filmmakers counted on chain’s image

When it came to getting the cooperation of the fast-food chain of the title for the goofy stoner comedy “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,” filmmakers just took a deep breath and set their sights high.

Luckily, the movie — starring John Cho and Kal Penn as two twentysomething buds on a joint quest to satisfy their late-night munchies — didn’t get clipped by the owners of White Castle’s 392 restaurants.

Family-owned since 1921, the company requested minor changes, then let the filmmakers roll.

“(Many of the) things that take place, well, they’re not White Castle values — but from our point of view, we saw it as authentic with the lengths our customers will go to get our burgers,” says Jamie Richardson, the chain’s director of marketing.

“It had always been White Castle in the script,” says director Danny Leiner. “If we would’ve had to replace it, we would have gone with a fictional place.

“We wouldn’t have made it a giant corporate chain; White Castle is a place people have genuine affection for… . I grew up in Brooklyn, and we used to make late-night journeys there.”

Cho, who grew up in Los Angeles, and Penn, who’s from Freehold, N.J., say they understand White Castle’s siren call.

“During the day, White Castle is like anyplace else, but post-1 a.m., they’re completely packed,” says Penn. “It’s a post-party, late-night spot.”