Rob Schneider Says He's Changed

Writes, Directs and Stars in Direct-To-DVD Comedy Big Stan

Mar 26, 2009

The former SNL star says he's a new man and offers evidence in a prison comedy about to hit the shelves. He says he learned his lesson in the trenches.

“I used to laugh and make fun of people like Woody Allen. He'd asked me to be in a movie and so I put him in a sketch and never heard from him again. It seemed okay then, but I wouldn’t do it now.”

“I used to be more reckless and would do anything for a laugh”, Schneider told me during a recent chat. “But like my character in the second half of "Big Stan" I'm not as interested in that anymore. On SNL, it was crash and burn. Also there was a desire to be in “show business” and now I feel like 20 years since then and now I’m not the same person. I used to not care.”

Big Stan is a sleazy real estate developer with a penchant for cheating the elderly out of their life savings. He’s sent to prison for his crimes and experiences the awakening of his better self. Of course, there’s a payoff. His new wisdom and charm puts him at the top of the inmate ladder, where he can do some good and make up for his past. Big Stan seems to mirror the changes Schneider sees in himself.

“I wanted to show his heart because if he only went in and protected himself then he’s the same jerk same selfish ***. I wanted a guy who would step outside himself and do things for other people, redeem himself and the movie.”

Benefits of Being the Boss

Schneider produced, directed and starred in the film, so he got to it his way. His new desire to spread peace, joy and love throughout the land expressed itself in the casting. If the characters look tough, it’s because many of them had with more than a passing acquaintance with prison cells.

“There’s a prison system in California, the Mexicans from the south battling Mexicans from the north”, he says. “I hired them. Guys from the south were not allowed to go to northern California, if they saw a gang member, they were obliged to fight. But on the movie set, there was a truce and they all got along.”

What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Stronger

Even with all his good karma / intentions, Schneider says it was hard getting financing. He says Columbia loved the script but decided it was too ‘out there’ to be treated like a conventional film.

“I was really frustrated. Unfortunately it didn’t get a theatrical release except in Australia and Mexico and Spain. They loved it, so I feel good about it!”

The Future Looks Full

Schneider’s looking forward to five projects over the next few months, including the ‘Untitled Adam Sandler Project” which will star Salma Hayek, Kevin James, David Spade, Chris Rock and Sandler.

“The movie’s like The Big Chill, it's serious”, he continues, sounding more grown up with every passing moment. “It’s about a basketball coach who passes away and the lives of his players 25 years later. There’s a lot of us in it. It’s a very funny script, but it covers a lot of things. It’s more than jokes, it’s about humanity.”

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