John Schneider on Christian Films: 'People Have to Show Up'
Actor John Schneider recently stopped by The Christian Post for a talk about his new film, "Hardflip," which opened in theaters last Friday. Schneider first realized he wanted to be an actor at age 8, has enjoyed a successful career in the entertainment industry, and is now moving toward a faith-based audience.
Schneider is perhaps most well-known for playing Bo Duke on the hit series "The Dukes of Hazzard." He then went on to have roles on such popular shows as "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" and "Smallville."
When he's not in front of the camera, Schneider enjoys writing and developing movies, though he is not fond of being on the business side of things. He is also a country music singer whose songs have reached the top of country's Billboard charts.
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His latest film, "Hardflip," has opened to rave reviews, and Schneider is eager to encourage people to see the film in theaters.
"People complain that there aren't enough Christian films, but then they're the ones who never show up," he explained. One of the rare successes was "October Baby," which took critics by surprise and brought in $5 million in its opening weekend.
Schneider also starred in that film alongside veteran actress Jasmine Guy; the movie beat out much-higher-budgeted movies such as "Battleship" and was a hit with audiences. "October Baby" tells the story of a young woman who learns she is the adopted survivor of an attempted abortion.
"Hardflip," however, greatly differs from "October Baby," and focuses on a young man's struggle to find himself in the world. Schneider plays the father to actor Randy Wayne, which he said was a great treat.
"I enjoy working with actors of all ages, but it was really an interest in the skateboarding community that drew me in," he explained.
"Hardflip" is in theaters now.
