Jon Heder aims to build dynamite career

Jacinda Barrett, the object of affection over whom Thornton and Heder tussle in “School for Scoundrels,” said the two actors were an ideal match, Thornton the devious wolf, Heder a saint who does not drink or swear (in real life, Heder really does say “Gosh” as an exclamation).

“He’s got such a great moral code. It’s very important for him to uphold those qualities in the parts he takes,” Barrett said.

“School for Scoundrels” director Todd Phillips, who adapted the movie from a 1960 British comedy, said the story hinged on the chemistry, or anti-chemistry, between the characters. Once Thornton signed on, Phillips went searching for his “180-degree opposite.”

“If Billy Bob’s the anti-Christ, who is on the opposite of that? And that’s Heder,” Phillips said. “Jon comes with so much innocence, and he really is like that in every way. From the first frame of the movie, the audience is on this guy’s side.”

Heder and his twin brother grew up the middle children of a family of six siblings, the two developing an early interest in drawing, film and animation. At Brigham Young, Hess cast Heder in the lead of a short film, a character who became the prototype for Napoleon Dynamite.

Animation remains a passion for Heder, who was among the voice cast for “Monster House” and the upcoming cartoon flick “Surf’s Up.” Heder and his brothers have formed a production company, and he said he someday hopes to direct an animated feature.

With Heder and his wife expecting their first child next spring, the actor is mindful of the types of characters he’s willing to play. He’s already said no to some scripts because the content or language conflicted with his upbringing.

While he hopes to branch out to more dramatic parts, Heder said he’s comfortable specializing in upbeat stories such as “Napoleon Dynamite,” where an unlikely hero makes good.

“That’s what protagonists do. They work hard, they have a conflict, they overcome the obstacles,” Heder said. “They get to the climax and they win. Or they lose. Just as long as something is gained, a lesson is learned. I do like those. The more quiet victories are always great. In ‘Napoleon,’ that was very much a quiet victory, you know? He learned something, and he gained a little something. ...

“I don’t ever see me doing a really dramatic role in a feature that’s, like, really depressing. I love those kinds of movies sometimes, but still, being brought up the way I was, I have no problem teaching those kinds of principles in films.”

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