Jorma Taccone, best known as one-third of The Lonely Island, has taken a sharp turn into darker territory with his latest directorial effort, Over Your Dead Body. The film, a remake of Tommy Wirkola's 2021 Norwegian horror-comedy The Trip, premiered at SXSW 2026 and later at the Overlook Film Festival, where Taccone sat down with Collider's Perri Nemiroff to discuss the project. Among the revelations: a Hot Rod Easter egg that Taccone now second-guesses.
Taccone admitted he was initially reluctant to direct the remake. 'I didn't want to make it from jump,' he said, clarifying that his hesitation stemmed from the challenge of remaking a film he admired. 'I loved the original, which made it even more daunting.' The original The Trip, starring Noomi Rapace and Aksel Hennie, was released just five years ago and was praised for its outlandish premise and willingness to push boundaries.
So what changed Taccone's mind? The answer lies partly in his own comedic roots. Producer Guy Danella, who was working with Wirkola, noted that the Norwegian director was a huge fan of Taccone's work, including Hot Rod, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and MacGruber. 'Tommy loves your stuff. Let's talk,' Danella told Taccone. After a conversation with Wirkola, Taccone began to see the potential in the remake.
Taccone's version stars Jason Segel and Samara Weaving as Dan and Lisa, a dysfunctional couple who agree to a weekend getaway to save their marriage—while secretly plotting to kill each other for insurance money. Their plan goes awry when three nefarious characters, played by Timothy Olyphant, Juliette Lewis, and Keith Jardine, show up at the cabin. Taccone wanted to make the characters more sympathetic than in the original, while retaining its dark edge. 'It's inarguably more violent than the original, a bit more gory,' he said. 'But I wanted to push it in directions I felt more comfortable as a filmmaker.'
The tonal balancing act was key. Taccone explained that humor became the glue holding the film together. 'To me, humor is actually what brings it all together,' he said. This approach allowed him to blend the original's sinister storyline with the kind of comedy fans expect from him. The casting of Segel and Weaving, both adept at genre-hopping, was intentional to highlight the film's tonal gymnastics.
One of the most talked-about elements is a Hot Rod Easter egg that Taccone included. While he didn't specify the exact joke, he hinted that it might be a nod to the 2007 cult classic that starred Taccone alongside Andy Samberg and Akiva Schaffer. 'I may or may not regret it,' Taccone said with a laugh, suggesting that the reference might feel out of place in such a dark film. Fans of Hot Rod will likely be on the lookout for the callback.
For those curious about Taccone's journey from comedy to horror, the director noted that Over Your Dead Body allowed him to explore new creative territory while staying true to his instincts. 'It's like three movies in one,' he said, praising the script's twists and turns. 'Structurally, I absolutely fell in love with it.'
Over Your Dead Body is now playing in select theaters and streaming on Paramount+. For more on Taccone's career, check out our feature on The 7 Comedy Classics That Became Cultural Cornerstones.
