How Keke Palmer’s The ‘Burbs Connects To Tom Hanks’ Cult Classic Thriller Explained By Creator

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Keke Palmer recently starred in a remake of a quirky, beloved film originally featuring Tom Hanks, and the original creator, Celeste Hughey, is discussing the connection between the two versions.

Inspired by the film The ‘Burbs, the story follows Samira, played by Palmer, who moves to her husband’s childhood home with their new baby. The suburb is known as “The Safest Town in America,” but Samira soon becomes intrigued by a run-down Victorian house and its new resident, Gary (Justin Kirk), who claims he’s going to fix it up. As Samira investigates, she uncovers hidden secrets about the house and the neighborhood, teaming up with a group of eccentric neighbors to find out what really happened.

Jenna Hughey, the creator known for her work on shows like Dead to Me and High Fidelity, has gathered a talented group of actors for her new project, The ‘Burbs. The cast includes Jack Whitehall (from Malice), Julia Duffy (an Emmy nominee), Paula Pell (an Emmy winner and Saturday Night Live veteran), Mark Proksch (known for What We Do in the Shadows), and Kapil Talwalkar (Night Court), as well as many other notable performers.

Before The ‘Burbs begins streaming on Peacock, ScreenRant‘s Liam Crowley spoke with Celeste Hughey about the show. Hughey, the creator and showrunner, remembers watching Tom Hanks’ original movie for the first time “in a friend’s basement in the ’90s.” She said it initially frightened her more than she expected, and that the film’s insightful observations about the downsides of suburban life were lost on her at the time.

When I revisited the material while developing the project, I realized how brilliant it was. Getting a deeper understanding of the lines, subtle details, and underlying themes I missed as a child was incredibly inspiring. I really enjoyed the opportunity to adapt something so many people love, and that was a key factor for me when considering the story and the show.

Lauren Hughey, an executive producer on the show alongside Palmer and Seth MacFarlane, explained that she aimed to create a unique story, separate from the original The ‘Burbs movie, while still including familiar elements and references for fans. When asked if the series is a reboot or a continuation of the film, Hughey stated it’s both – a fresh start with new characters, but with plenty of connections to the original story.

We filmed the new project in Hinckley Hills, the same town featured in the original movie, and even used the original cul-de-sac and the Universal backlot. There’s definitely a feeling of connection to the original there, but it tells a completely new story. Having previously worked on ‘High Fidelity’ – another project based on a well-loved book and film – I learned the importance of respecting the source material while still creating something fresh. That was our goal here too.

Hughey Was Thrilled To Get The Original Movie Team’s “Seal Of Approval”

ScreenRant asked what new approach they were taking with this property, explaining it wasn’t simply a remake of the original film, but a reimagining with a different angle.

I was drawn to the idea of someone feeling like an outsider, like a ‘fish out of water.’ The movie explores that with suspicion towards new neighbors, and I wanted to explore that feeling through my main character. Growing up as a biracial person in a predominantly white suburb, I often felt like I didn’t quite belong. I wanted to tell a story about a Black woman moving into a new community, finding connection but still feeling uncertain. It’s a place that’s both familiar and strange. Her husband, Jack, who’s from the UK, also feels like an outsider when they move to the suburbs. They both feel lost, and that brings them together with other unique people. Ultimately, I wanted to create a story about this group of ‘weirdos’ finding friendship and love in each other.

Elizabeth Morris/Peacock

From the start, I always believed Keke Palmer was a star. She’s incredibly talented and unique – I really think she’s the Tom Hanks of our generation. She effortlessly handles comedy, heartwarming moments, and serious drama, and she’s fantastic at physical comedy too. She has that special charm and genuineness people look for in a major star, just like Tom Hanks, and Keke has it in abundance. Everyone on set felt the same way about her. I often describe her as a ‘unicorn’ because she’s truly authentic and consistently presents her true self. She’s charming, funny, intelligent, and always goes above and beyond, while still being generous and supportive of her fellow actors, consistently creating a positive atmosphere on set.

ScreenRant praised the talent of everyone involved and then asked about Dana Olsen, a co-executive producer who also wrote the original movie, The ‘Burbs. They were curious about how Dana contributed to updating the story for this new project and what the collaboration process was like.

We were thrilled to have him involved with the show. Staying true to the original movie was very important to me, so his approval meant a lot. He loved the script, and we even named a character, Dana, after him as a way to pay tribute to the source material.

ScreenRant asked Seth MacFarlane about the creative process behind the project. They wanted to know what it was like for him and the other producers to share and develop ideas together.

Seth is incredibly passionate about this movie – it’s a long-held dream project for him. He initially planned a small-scale remake during the COVID pandemic, filming on a backlot. However, the idea evolved into a series. He’s a huge fan of the original film and frequently acknowledges its influence, even incorporating Wendy Shaw, who appears in it, into his other work. Having his comedic perspective involved was fantastic. Keke was a wonderful collaborator, always asking insightful questions to fully grasp the show’s direction and scripts, but also eager to enjoy the process. She loved the material, and the entire cast bonded and had a great time working together. She really guided everyone and set a positive tone.

ScreenRant asked about the excitement of launching the show right after the Super Bowl – the biggest possible platform for a new TV series. They were curious what it meant to the creator to have such a massive launch opportunity, with all eight episodes immediately available on Peacock.

Elizabeth Morris/Peacock

I still can’t believe it’s actually happening! When I first heard rumors, I honestly thought, ‘No way!’ It really shows how much Peacock and the studio believe in the show, and they’re really going all in. I’m such a huge fan of it myself, and I truly think everyone is going to love it. Knowing they have so much faith in me and my work means the world. It’s all just so surreal – I never even dreamed this could happen. And now, to think the world will finally get to see what I’ve been working on during the Super Bowl… it’s incredible!

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2026-02-10 02:00