Artisan Pictures is teaming up with National Lampoon to release college comedy Van Wilder: Party Liaison in North America on March 29, 2002. Set to launch in over 2,000 theatres, the film will be redubbed National Lampoon's Van Wilder as a throwback to the 1978 college hit National Lampoon's Animal House.

The film, which was fully financed by Myriad Pictures, stars Ryan Reynolds, Tara Reid, Tim Matheson and Curtis Armstrong. Artisan will work with National Lampoon in marketing and promotions on the film which is designed to tap into National Lampoon's existing fan base. Planned marketing initiatives include a network television special and and the positioning of Nationallampoon.com as the movie's official website

The film tells the story of Van Wilder, who is in his seventh year of college and has become the campus go-to guy. It is directed by Walt Becker and produced by Tapestry Pictures.

The collaboration was announced by Artisan Pictures executive vice president of worldwide marketing Amorette Jones and James Jimirro, chairman and CEO of J2 Communications/National Lampoon.