Jon Heder breaks down the charm and chaos of Tapawingo.
Jon Heder has always had a soft spot for lovable misfits, and his latest film, Tapawingo, continues that tradition. The quirky indie comedy now available on digital stars Heder alongside Jay Pichardo, Kim Matula, Sawyer Williams, George Psarras, Paul Psarras, Amanda Bearse, John Ratzenberger, Gina Gershon, and Billy Zane.
Directed by Dylan K. Narang and written by Narang and Brad DeMarea, the film follows an oddball who unexpectedly becomes the bodyguard of a misfit teen, placing him right in the crosshairs of a small town’s family of bullies.
When we connected, Heder made it clear right away that Nerdtropolis is his kind of environment. “Nerdropolis feels like my kind of place,” he said with a smile. When I told him he was now the official ambassador, he rolled with it easily — exactly the kind of playful spirit that makes talking with him so much fun.
Crossing Paths With Billy Zane
One of the surprises in Tapawingo is seeing Heder and Billy Zane share the screen — especially since the two will also appear together in Waltzing with Brando. Heder revealed that the order of events wasn’t as straightforward as audiences might assume.
“I knew I was going to do Waltzing with Brando… but that movie was kind of put on pause,” he said. “This script came along. I loved it. I signed on.” Not long after committing to the project, he learned Zane would be joining Tapawingo as well. “The director told me, ‘Oh, we got Billy Zane to play one of the roles.’ I was like, weird. I’m going to be doing a movie, hopefully with him, soon.”
Although they had a virtual introduction during COVID, the Tapawingo set was the first time they met in person. “We met in person on this set for Tapawingo,” he said, calling it one of the small quirks of show business.
Why Tapawingo Stood Out
Heder lit up when he talked about what drew him to quirky, character-driven stories like this one. “I love stories about oddball weird characters in small towns making the biggest deals out of the dumbest little things,” he said. “They turn mundane little occurrences… into events that mean the world to them.”
He added that the script hooked him instantly — not because of who was involved, but because the world felt so specific and alive. “Without really knowing anybody involved or any of that, I was drawn to the script,” he said. “You kind of step into the world and you see all the other weirdo characters… everybody’s kind of on the same page.”
The Joy of Indie Filmmaking
As we talked about the feel of the movie, I mentioned that it looked like everyone was having a blast — and Heder confirmed that sense immediately. “It was a blast,” he said. “I love shooting these kind of independent films…you get to hang out with the amazing crew, the amazing cast, and you’re kind of stuck together for a little while.”
For Heder, that closeness isn’t a challenge — it’s a reward. “You’re making something special… Everybody’s giving their best. They want this to be something different, something special, and you really bond doing those kind of projects.”
Could Napoleon Dynamite Exist in the World of Tapawingo?
Before we wrapped, there was one question I had to ask — because millions of fans think the same thing every time Heder pops up in a new film: Where would Napoleon Dynamite be in 2025?
Heder didn’t hesitate. “He’s probably babysitting some boss’s nerdy kid and trying to keep them safe from the town bullies,” he said. And in that moment, it all lined up — because that sounds exactly like something Napoleon would be doing today. It’s the kind of energy that makes Tapawingo feel like a true spiritual cousin to Napoleon Dynamite.
A Character-Driven Comedy With Heart
Tapawingo celebrates the weirdness, wonder, and warmth of small-town life. It thrives on the quirks that make people memorable and the bonds that form when underdogs choose to stand up for one another. It’s a charming, offbeat comedy powered by Heder’s instinct for sincerity and by a cast that clearly embraced the joy of making something different.
Tapawingo is now available on digital.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
