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Chris Klein and Mena Suvari return home to the American Pie-slice of American Reunion, the fourth (and possibly final) film in the hit comedy franchise that commenced with the 1999 original.

GlobalGrind sat down with the on-screen couple that initially stood out as the most stable, with their heels dug firmly in young love, which made it natural for us fans to adore the easy-going duo. 

Peep the exclusive one-on-one as Klein and Suvari discuss their characters’ rekindling love, respective careers, and the evolving franchise of the highly regarded American Pie films.

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GlobalGrind: The relationship of your characters is probably the most grounded of the whole franchise. Were you hoping that you guys would get back together?

Mena: When I read the first draft I was really impressed. It turned out to be my favorite of the whole series. I also really enjoyed how they gave Heather this moment of breaking out of her shell and sticking up for herself. Of course I think it’s only natural for Heather and Oz to come back together.

Chris: I think it’s beautiful that they do rekindle this flame that was their first love. The innocence of that and going through life and coming back together in a reunion is a cool thing to explore. If we’re going to explore those themes in American Pie, Oz and Heather are the characters to do it.

Thirteen years have passed since this all started. How you’ve changed personally since the first film?

Mena: Everybody is right back on the same page when we did our table read so it felt like no time had passed, but then again a lot of time did pass. But there’s so much of this essence that feels like it hasn’t been that much time. We have such amazing chemistry with one another that it’s just so natural.

Chris: I think that the premise of the first movie lends itself to all of us moving forward and growing up. What American Pie also does in such a unique way is that we are able to laugh at that process. Ten years ago we saw Jim Levenstein with a pie in his crotch and 10 years later we see Jim turn around and there’s his penis. It’s only getting worse!

You’ve both moved on to work on some really smart TV shows like American Horror Story and Wilfred. Can you talk about those roles and that experience?

Mena: I feel like in the past few years TV has changed so much and whatever kind of line of division there was between TV and film has been blurred. There’s so much great material and so many great people working in television now. For me it’s never been about the medium: it’s about the story and the character. So to be able to find anything like that, it is something beautiful to explore.

Chris: I’ve been a fan of the cable network FX for a long time. My favorite shows are on it and I love how they run their network. And for Wilfred, Jason Gann and I were actually talking about me coming in for the part that’s played wonderfully by Elijah Wood. Then we thought no, I should play the beer truck driver from Wisconsin. I feel really lucky to be back shooting a couple more episodes because that’s a really fun character to play.

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What was it like shooting the iconic American Pie poster again in all your same positions?

Mena: It was surreal! There was so much magic around this film coming together that I was just staying in this feeling of excitement and gratitude.

Chris: We have such a beautiful time making these movies. The chemistry that the audience sees in these movies is palpable and you can’t create that. You can’t act that. To be apart of something like that for 13 years now is a really, really cool thing.

What did you envision for your characters this many years later?

Mena: I could see where Heather is now and I agree with it. I think that Heather was aware of the opportunities that Oz was getting for himself and for his career. For Heather, she chose to focus on her career and really fight for what she wanted. So I really agree with what John and Hayden have created.

Chris: Personally, as an actor and as a fan of this franchise, I love what the Oz/Heather storyline represents and professionally I love playing it out. To share scenes with such a talented actress like Mena Suvari is an incredible experience.