Billy Bob and Napoleon Dynamite spoke. The Daily listened. "School for Scoundrels," an adolescent comedy about how to stop being a loser, has a potential for greatness as well as failure, but stars Jon Heder and Billy Bob Thornton reveal some of their experiences and insights related to the film, assuring us that it is one of quality. "School for Scoundrels," directed by Todd Phillips, is an interesting departure from the actors' and director's previous cinematic works. Read on to see if the movie's stars can convince you that this latest effort is not one to miss.
Q: As freelance actors, what do you look for in scripts, and what struck you about this one in particular?
BBT: I don't look for anything specific. If it is a comedy, it needs to be funny, and if it's a drama, I prefer it to be different from something I've just done. I don't look for a specific genre. It just matters if it is well written, and "School for Scoundrels" really is. I also like Todd Phillips, and working with Jon was great. I had seen his "Napoleon Dynamite" (2004), and I thought, "Yeah, we'll be fine together."
JH: I thought it was a fun script. I was looking for my next movie after "Napoleon" to allow me to play a more normal every-man kind of character. I thought this was pretty good; it had a lot of funny stuff in it, and I wanted a chance to work with the international superstar Billy Bob.
Q: In your real life, what was the greatest lengths you went to in order to impress a girl? In the film, you guys are both trying to impress the same girl, Amanda (Jacinda Barrett). JH: I guess the furthest I ever went was when I tried to draw a picture of my now-wife when we were dating. It wasn't as good as I thought it would be, and I think she felt the same way, but I ended up marrying her, so I guess it worked out.
Q: The comedies you have done have had a huge impact. Was there a particular film role that you have always dreamed of pursuing rather than these comedic roles?
JH: Yes, I want to be the next James Bond. I also think it would be also sweet to play an elf, particularly one that shoots magic arrows.
Q: Do you have a preference, Billy Bob? Is there something you've always dreamed of playing?
BBT: Like a superhero kind of guy? Yeah: Reid Fleming, the World's Toughest Milkman. It's a comic not many people know, but keep your eyes open.
Q: I read that, Jon, you had an awesome time filming the paintball scene in the movie. How was that filmed?
JH: It was filmed with 35mm film, you know ... [laughs] ... No, we unfortunately had to use fake paintballs. Wait, we did shoot some real ones, but we had, like, body armor formed to our bodies underneath our clothes. I ended up taking a lot of the armor off, because it was uncomfortable, and I ended up having large-sized welts all over my body after that. It was worth it.
BBT: I didn't have to get shot, so I was really happy. It was especially fun for me, because I got to shoot somebody at close range. Yeah, that was fine for me. All I had to do was stand there, bark out orders and shoot somebody.
Q: I was curious if you agreed with any of the teachings taught in the class in the movie.
JH: Being dangerous is cool. It's always cool to be dangerous, I guess. Everywhere I go is lame. Not just restaurants or clubs -- I'll be in some hotel, and it will be lame.
BBT: Most places are pretty lame.
Q: Jon, how did it feel to play a romantic lead for the first time?
JH: It felt great. It was kind of nice to play a character not too far from who I am. I hope I'm not that much of a loser, but I was happy to play something more natural. The character is more like me, as opposed to some of the more dorky characters I've played.
Q: Billy Bob, your character in "Sling Blade" (1996) was something completely different than anything else I had seen you do. Do you have any other characters similar to that in the back of your mind?
BBT: I've got a few up my sleeve. I've always wanted to play a midget.
Q: How would you pull that one off?
BBT: Oh, I can do it.
Q: There is a lot of physical comedy going on in the film. How much of that was improv?
JH: Most of it was staged, but, like, during the tennis scene when we are on the ground wrestling, that was really us just having fun. Billy Bob was on top - it was great.
