Eugene Levy is developing a Clint Eastwood complex.

In the 1960 spaghetti westerns that helped turn him into an international star, Eastwood's character was the man with no name. The same is true of the befuddled father Levy plays in the American Pie movies.

He's simply known as Jim's dad.

"It really is weird," says Levy, who reprised his nameless character in American Wedding.

"His name was actually scripted in American Pie 2 but the line got cut, which is what happened again this time.

"It's Noah, but that's trivia."

Levy, 56, isn't complaining. He admits the two American Pie sequels have been quite lucrative.

"The thing about sequels is that everything gets inflated, including the salaries, and that's a good thing if you're having a good time, which is most definitely the case with these American Pie movies.

Levy almost missed this little gravy boat. Back in 1998, when he received the offer for American Pie, he was ready to pass.

"I was working on an independent movie that was actually called American Pie. The original title of this one was East Great Falls High.

"When I read the script, it was too out there for me. It had erections, people drinking bodily fluids and oral sex. I thought I was getting a bit too old for this kind of stuff."

Levy's agent talked him into meeting Chris and Paul Weitz, who were directing, and Adam Herz who had written it.

"I could sense instantly what brilliant people they all were, but I had to admit I didn't like the character as written. I didn't think he was sweet enough."

To Levy's surprise and gratitude, the three filmmakers asked him to help change the role.

"We improvised all the scenes I was in. I felt more comfortable and they said they loved what I was doing."

Audiences loved Jim's dad, who is as kind and loving as he is clueless.

"I have improvised every scene Jim's dad has been in for each of the movies. Paul sends me the scenes with sketchy dialogue to give me some idea of what is needed and then I work on it. My aim has been to keep him the most supportive of dads.

"I have tried to set him apart from everything else that is going on in the movies."

Levy has received word that a sequel to the hit comedy Bringing Down the House is in the works.

"I originally took the role because I wanted to work with Steve Martin. I knew his work better than I knew him, and I relished the opportunity to work closely with him."

Levy's character ends up romancing the street-wise ex-con played by Queen Latifah. The sequel is being prepped to shoot early next year.

"I'm so lucky my character became an integral part of the film. We now have to deal with a couple where you have Jewish roots on one side and militant African-American roots on the other.

"I don't know where they'll be taking it but I get excited just thinking about the possibilities in that particular pairing."

A MIGHTY GOOD YEAR

A Mighty Wind, Levy's third movie this year, has grossed $18 million US. Though a far cry from the $135 million Bringing Down the House made, it is considered a hit because it was made for less than $10 million.

Levy, who scripted A Mighty Wind with Christopher Guest, admits "no one gets rich from a Chris Guest movie. Everyone works for scale and the love of the project."

A Mighty Wind was about the reunion of three fictitious folk groups.

"We've been doing a series of concerts as the characters and, I understand, we'll be playing Carnegie Hall next year."

It's just another bizarre twist Levy's career has been taking these past couple of years.

Add to that his role in the upcoming Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen vehicle, New York Minute, which is currently filming in Toronto and New York.


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