The production of Neighbors was troubled. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd switched their roles in pre-production, acting against type (usual-wild man Belushi played the meek Earl and usual-straight-arrow Aykroyd played the obnoxious Vic). Belushi and Aykroyd also argued constantly with director John G. Avildsen (as they believed that he had no understanding of comedy), and lobbied to have him removed from the picture.
The creation of Neighbors faced numerous difficulties.  John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd switched their usual roles in the film's pre-production stage, leading to conflicts with director John G. Avildsen, who they felt did not grasp comedy. They sought to replace him.