Den Of Geek: How did this come about?

Did you pitch doing aVacationremake, sequel…?

Jonathan Goldstein: The studio wanted to bring back the franchise in some way.

And they asked us to come and pitch how we would write it.

We did and they hired us.

We wrote it without intending to direct it.

And then they said, We know you are interested in directing.

Throw your hats in the ring.

We did and we got the job.

We were like, Hey!

If you want directors… And they were like, Maybe!

But we thought that they were totally just patronizing us.

In fact, they took our offer seriously.

Jonathan Goldstein: One of the great things about New Line is they are very loyal to people.

Well, because its a minefield.

Obviously you are going to disappoint a certain group of people regardless.

Its a small group of people that feel passionate enough to go online and talk shit.

So I understand it.

Thats basically our way of saying to the audience, We know what youre thinking, but relax.

Daly: Yeah, it actually did…

Goldstein: Surprisingly easily.

Daly: Our intention was always to direct when we were writing.

So we knew that was ultimately what we wanted the course of our career to take.

So when we had this opportunity, we had to take it.

It felt just like a natural next step for us.

Goldstein: It was very organic.

On set we were mostly of one mind.

And we prepared a lot before we ever got on set so there werent surprises or disagreements.

And everything flowed very nicely.

Do you delegate duties to each other?

its always sort of the same thing.

Goldstein: We tried to delegate…

Daly: It never worked.

Because we have very strong opinions.

Often they are aligned.

But when theyre not, you have to try it both ways.

And if we were sort of delegating we wouldnt be able to try all the options.

Obviously the goalposts for comedy have moved in terms of how raunchy we can get with things.

Goldstein: Its an R-rated family movie, which is kind of a rare bird, in a way.

And so, that was kind of a defining line.

Goldstein: And we wanted to double-check that the emotional stuff was real and not tacked on.

But, obviously, we didnt want to makeJackass 4.

But there are no jokes about it.

Hes playing it straight the whole time.

Hes asking them if they need anything.

Hes talking about how quiet it is there, while the elephant in the room is his elephant-sized penis.

So that was a surprise to us at how well it played.

Goldstein: Also that hot tub scene where Rusty is trying to be the wingman for the son.

That just cracked us up.

Is he clear…?

Daly: …that hes trying to be a wingman.

It always worked, so as we were shooting it, we were throwing in even more ridiculous lines.

Goldstein: Take off your shirt…

Daly: Pop that shirt.

Goldstein: I mean, I love Lex Luthor.

(laughs)

Theres my headline.

Goldstein: I dont know much about the comic books.

Vacationis out in theaters now.