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 production of Neighbors was fraught with difficulties. John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd switched their roles in pre-production, acting contrary to their usual personas (Belushi's wild man persona played the meek Earl, while Aykroyd's straight-arrow persona took on the obnoxious Vic). Belushi and Aykroyd also had constant disagreements with director John G. Avildsen (as they believed he lacked a grasp of comedy), and attempted to have him replaced.