Staff writer Duffy Hery participated in a press conference with stars John Heder and Billy Bob Thornton. The two star in the upcoming movie “School for Scoundrels.” Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) recently won two MTV Movie Awards for Best Musical Performance and Best Breakthrough Actor. Veteran Actor Billy Bob Thornton has won numerous awards, including an Oscar for his performance in “Sling Blade.” The two spoke with a number of college papers over the phone to discuss scoundrels, roles and midgets.

*Q:* Billy, Have you ever wanted to lose your Arkansas accent when you do a role?

BB: No. I’ve always wanted to keep my heritage and emphasize it more. I mean what’s the difference between a guy from Jersey and a southern guy.

*Q:* What attracted you to “Scoundrels”?

BB: I don’t look for a genre, as long as it’s well written, if it’s different than what I have done. It was a well-written script and I like Todd Phillips.

JH: Yeah, I thought it was a fun script that was a lead that wasn’t [Napoleon]. I wanted to play a normal everyman character. Plus I wanted to work with star Billy Bob.

*Q:* The movie is about a guy trying to impress a girl. What have you done to impress a girl?

JH: I tried to draw a picture of my now wife, but it wasn’t as good as I thought it would be, and she thought so too.

BB: I don’t try that much stuff, maybe when I was a teenager I might have. I dressed up as Larry Storch from F troop.

*Q:* Are there any roles you guys have ever wanted that you haven’t gotten yet?

BB: I wanted to be the next James Bond

JH: I’ve always wanted to play an elf, particularly one that shoots magic arrows

BB: Reed Fleming, the world’s toughest milkman

*Q:* The movie has several rules to follow to be a scoundrel. Which ones do you agree with?

JH: Be dangerous: it’s cool. Wherever you are at, the place is lame. Everywhere I go is lame. Even the hotel I’m in now is really lame.

BB: I agree with John, most places I go are lame.

*Q:* How did it feel to play romantic lead?

JH: It felt great, it was kinda nice to play a character who is not far from who I am. I hope I’m not that much of a loser.

*Q:* John, are you worried that you’re going to be stuck in the awkward, shy-guy roles?

JH: I think it’s too late (laughs). I don’t have much of a fear. I like the characters that are always a little weird and have social problems. I’m attracted to those characters.

*Q:* Billy Bob, your role in “Sling Blade” was a character you played that was different than any other character you’ve played before. Do you have any more characters like that you want to use in a movie?

BB: I’ve got a few up my sleeve. I’ve always wanted to play a midget. With special effects these days they can do anything.

*Q:* “Scoundrels” is also about manliness. What makes a true man in your minds?

JH: I get the hard questions. Gusto. Principles. You have to be a man of principles. You have to practice what you preach, and don’t be afraid to make a fool of yourself.

*Q:* Is there anyone you would like to work with that you haven’t?

JH: Mary Lynn Riscoe, who plays Chloe in “24.” She’s pretty cool.

*Q:* What was the difference between a movie like “Anger Management” and “School for Scoundrels”?

JH: Well, “Anger Management” had a psychologist living with the main character, while our characters aren’t living together and ours involves a teacher teaching and a character learning something. In “Anger Management,” I don’t think he was trying to learn anything.

*Q:* John you’ve done quite a few animation voices. What draws you to animated work?

JH: I studied animation in college so I have a draw that way, so I would rather be doing the animation than doing the voice, so maybe someday I can be doing the animation rather than any voices.

*Q:* John, where do you see yourself in the next few years?

JH: All the way to the top!! I want to continue doing comedies, continue doing roles but I’m really interested in diving into the behind the scenes world of directing, writing and producing, especially along the animation lines.

*Q:* Napoleon has been taking on a pop-icon role. Do you have mixed feelings?

JH: No, now I love him. When I first started creating the character I knew he was original and fun to play and I don’t feel like he’s gone too far. I’m not trying to run away from him. I want to do other things, but I still love the character.

*Q:* Billy Bob, have you ever done a movie just for the paycheck that you regret, like Halle Berry’s “Cat Woman”?

BB: I guess I think the only movie I could say was a paycheck movie was “Armageddon.” I knew it was a huge blockbuster and the movie was loaded with big stars so I knew I wouldn’t have to try that hard. You know I was mad about Halle Berry because I wanted that role. I actually went to the studio dressed as Cat Woman. They wouldn’t take me. I can’t remember if it was Warner or Paramount. I was really high that day.

*Q:* In “Scoundrels,” the mentor in the movie goes after the student’s girl. Has this ever happened to you?

JH: My twin brother tried to get with the girl I was trying to get with, and that was just wrong.

BB: I had a girl once that had a girl go after her, but I kinda liked it.

*Q:* Did you ever feel intimidated by Michael Clark Duncan during filming?

JH: No, he’s a teddy bear

BB: Yeah he’s the exact opposite. I worked with him in other films and he’s a really sensitive nice guy

*Q:* How was working with Lucinda Barrett?

JH: She was great. It was my first romantic role and she wasn’t too intimidating and [was] helpful. She’s pretty foul too — she tells a lot of dirty jokes

*Q:* Billy Bob, you think you’ll ever return to screenwriting?

BB: I do have something else I want to direct. I’ve been writing a lot of songs for an album. I don’t have the time, but I would really like to get involved in a screenplay.

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