Dead Wrong (2024)

Dead Wrong Review

Known predominantly for his humor and storytelling, comedian/filmmaker Rob Schneider takes on the drama genre in “Dead Wrong,” playing a lawyer who gets involved in an ill-fated, overcooked plan. He also talks about his current feature and shares how his work ethic and success have been positively affected by his Filipino roots. Additionally, he reflects on the marvelous life of his late mom Pilar. Read below to see what Schneider had to say!

In “Dead: Wrong,” we meet Billy (Derek Smith) an egotistical husband with no interest in fatherhood who devises a heinous scheme to relieve himself from this impending responsibility. Ethan Boggs (Rob Schneider) is a lawyer who helps set Billy’s plan into motion but is indebted to Rollie (Joshua Bitton), a bloodthirsty mobster who may never let him out of his sight. Both characters are aiming to escape their respective troubles but might be dead wrong!!!

This indie feature was such a fun watch! The movie also stars Chet Hanks, Katrina Bowden, Chelsea Debo and Cress Williams. Directed/written by Rick Bieber, it’s an unapologetic throwback crime thriller that would’ve fit perfectly into 1990s filmmaking.

Like me, my mother is Filipino both have shared their experiences growing up during World War Two Philippines. I asked him about how his mother inspired him to become a hardworking and successful artist. He also talks about his upcoming book You Can Do It! Speak Your Mind America.

Check out the full interview below in YouTube and Q&A form (which has been edited for style and clarity):

Rob, you have a really interesting character in “Dead Wrong.” 

Rob Schneider: Thank you. 

I mean this as the best compliment… It’s kind of like a scenery chewing performance Whenever I say that it can be either great or not great and in “Dead Wrong” that’s great. Did you see the potential in this role and throwback to the ‘90s type movie?

Rob Schneider: Thank you. I saw the potential where it could be really good or really bad, and I like that challenge because I think at the end of the day, you know, I don’t get a lot of those, Greg.

It was cool to push (myself) in different way instead of comedically. I think this character allowed me to be big in a way that was not what people have seen me (do) before if that makes sense. 

Yeah, well that makes sense But what doesn’t make sense is the fact that you’re not offered more of these roles So many comedians make great dramatic actors… It’s a no-brainer.

Rob Schneider: Well thank you for saying that. Yeah, you do get typecast as a comedian which is great because when you’re getting typecast as a comedian, it means you’re getting cast in something.

I don’t mean to speak for executives but from what I’ve noticed with them it’s fear It’s fear based And so they know their time is limited So they either try to tie themselves to a big picture If that goes down then

the whole studio goes down

Executives, in contrast to actors searching for good movies or even just the most interesting thing, it’s ‘what will delay my inevitable firing the longest’. So if they take a chance with a guy and it doesn’t work . . . so I get that too. But hopefully more things will open up. And thank you for that.

Your late mother has one of the most interesting stories. As a Filipino American, my mother used to tell stories. And my grandmother and grandfather, they would tell stories about World War Two in the Philippines. And I’m wondering if your mother’s story and journey and dedication towards her family and her career inspired you as an artist?

Rob Schneider: Well thank you Greg. You’re the only one who’s ever asked me that question. Thank you in such a nice way. My mother was a war survivor. Basically everything is extra when you survive something like that. And it’s also a blessing and a curse because it’s like…like my mom was why we survived.

As 12 years old girl going out getting food being smart knowing when to barter and how to barter…They would make bed sheets…They would take bed sheets and make pajamas out of them then go trade for kamote with the farmers…and then (they would) have to get back by the Japanese sentries…She said she was never scared.

Also Filipinos are number one per capita highest earners in America….And the reason why don’t hear about is because Filipinos never brag……You know when you go over to Filipino’s house it’s always like “how are you doing tell us about you”

Because it’s such a lovely giving thing…..When I came home with straight A’s, my mom would say ‘So what, that is what’s expected, you’re smart.’

If you want an “A,” if you want something ,a reward ,then do more.. I remember going “Well boy I better do something special here.”

Growing up as Filipino American, I just thought in the 80s first it was Lou Diamond Phillips. Then I had to wait several years later for Rob Schneider. I never thought that day would come where more Asian American representation would happen in cinema and television. Are you surprised how things have changed over the years

Rob Schneider: Stores are stories. What happens is, if they’re a good story, they have a better chance to get made. The problem is, is that again, that fearful thing; it’s just what works.

I’ve been around long enough and this will make sense for you…2-3 percent are the real trendsetters…And then if those 2 or 3 percent of those projects work then there’ll be another 10% and those will be the maverick people who will push things forward….And then the other 30% behind that will come slowly…and whatever’s left by the time they come in it’s too late.

It is a commercial art form. And, you know, what’s interesting about it is that in other cultures like Argentina and France or something like that the government will put money into Argentina. They actually fund those pictures even though it’s a very poor country. They understand how important cinema and the arts are to culture.

In this country it’s just seen as purely commercial. But it is culturally important. In my new book You Can Do It! Speak Your Mind, America, the first chapter is about my mother’s experience in the Philippines and her success as a Filipino American and I’m really proud of that.

And that comes out September 24th. I’ve been trying to make a movie about her life and her childhood in the Philippines for 20 years. That’s one of things I would love to do before I retire.

I can’t imagine how many rewrites that story went through over 20 years!

Rob Schneider: It’s still a book. It has to be made still. And truthfully, I’ve reached out to some Filipino writers and it’s going to take a couple hit movies before people say ‘what else you got.’

I like the idea of speaking your mind because in our society right now no matter what political or religious leaning you have people are afraid to speak their mind because they don’t want to be quote unquote canceled but you are front and center expressing yourself.

Rob Schneider: Well my mom was a union activist. She was pro-union but before teacher’s union went crazy. And then my father was proactive in civil rights in the ’50s, after Brown versus the Board of Education–in ’54 he was already on board so he was years ahead so I kind of grew up with that.

If it sounds wrong say something so I think that’s important for all Americans and yeah there’s fear being canceled there’s always fear but the fear is worse than not doing what you know in your heart [and to] follow your truth. The truth, not just your truth, the truth.

I also do a podcast called Find Your Film where I ask actors and artists and filmmakers to name a movie or TV series from their body of work that they feel is underrated overlooked and that they should watch. So from your filmography what would you recommend?

That’s such a nice question. I appreciate that. I would suggest for anyone who’s liked any of my movies, and they want to be surprised they can go see a movie that got lost in the shuffle right before 2010. “Big Stan” that movie is a really good one.

It’s David Carradine’s last film. It was a wonderful little movie it’s a mean little movie which I liked at that time so I think that one holds up (“Big Stan”). It’s popular in some parts of the world, people really like watching it. So I hope you guys see that one.

You directed that, right?

First movie (I) ever directed yeah.

Have you always been passionate as a filmmaker? And your next directing effort “Amor es Amor” is in post?

Rob Schneider: “Amor es Amor” is done. It’s a Spanish movie and so we’re trying to find the distributor for that because Paramount Pictures and the whole studio’s in disarray at this point. They’re selling the studio, they’re selling their streaming service, so they don’t know what they want to do. And I don’t mind saying that out loud because they don’t know what they want to do with the picture.

But it’ll see the light of day. If it’s a good movie, people will see it.

Final question is an advice question. What’s the key to actually overcoming stage fright? If you ever had it in the first place and speaking and telling your stories to a packed house?

Rob Schneider: If you’re Filipino, it helps because when I used to go to my relative’s house and there’d be everybody there, the generous laughter from Filipinos was so beautiful that it just actually encouraged me to get up on stage.

Because, hey, all these people love me and they’ll think I’m funny! So that’s good. Start there. If you’re not Filipino meet Filipinos and then go over to their house and then you’ll be comfortable talking because Filipinos will always ask you about you instead of talking about themselves.

It’s such a beautiful quality…I love that.

Yeah. Rob finally, I don’t know if you share sentiment but my big regret being my early 50s is I haven’t had the time to go back to the Philippines that much. I’ve only been back maybe 2 or 3 times since I was a kid.

I’m gonna go back soon. We’re gonna go back soon. I’m going to take my kids because they don’t understand. There’s like a whole level. Mexico is similar. There’s just another level of of kindness and an appreciation of life. And ,you know. America’s great and America, you work hard, you get your benefits off it.

But you tend to live your life for work because of this fictionalized idea of what it’s going to be after you’re done with the work and then you just spend your life working. So I tell all my audiences that I perform live. Now, stop what you’re doing. Go travel. Go spend time with family. Doesn’t matter. Take time off work and borrow money. Sell your car – but travel. Live your life now.

And that’s something that I got from all my Filipino relatives. So you’re going to love the book.

Oh, I can’t I can’t wait to check out the book. Rob again thank you so much for being generous with your time.

Rob Schneider: Thank you very much, Greg. Salamat.

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