Newcomer Schroder Stars Opposite Cain in His Debut Role as Autistic Baseball Player Mickey Tussler

Atlanta, GA (September 12, 2011) – gmc TV, America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment, presents the GMC World Premiere Movie A Mile in His Shoes, starring Dean Cain and newcomer Luke Schroder in his debut role. Country music singer George Canyon also stars. The movie is directed by William Dear (Angels in the Outfield, Harry and the Hendersons). A Mile in His Shoes will air on gmc TV on Sunday, September 25 at 7 p.m. ET.  

Based on the critically-acclaimed book written by Frank Nappi, A Mile in His Shoes is the uplifting story of Mickey Tussler, a 17 year-old farm boy from Bargersville, Indiana with Asperger’s Syndrome and a killer fastball (Schroder), who is recruited by minor league manager Arthur “Murph” Murphy (Cain), to play for the Clayton River Rats, his struggling minor league baseball team. Murph is convinced Mickey has a gift, but his autism keeps him isolated from a world he attempts to understand. Caught between life at home with his overprotective father (Canyon) and life on the field, Mickey turns to his gift, the support of his teammates and Murph, who gives him the opportunity of a lifetime. Murph learns a few life lessons himself along the way, which help him to make peace with his family.

“A Mile in His Shoes is a homerun for gmc,” said Brad Siegel, vice chairman, gmc. “Not only will this movie resonate with anyone who loves a great baseball movie, it’s a heartwarming story that the entire family will enjoy watching together,” he said. “The film is brilliantly acted by Dean Cain, who plays the man bold enough to take a chance on the underdog. Luke Schroder’s approach to the role of Mickey in his first leading role, is incredibly powerful. Under the direction of Bill Dear, they bring a dynamic to the screen that will win your heart,” he continued.

A Mile in His Shoes takes place in Clayton, Ohio. The movie was filmed on location in surrounding areas of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, including Langley, New Westminster and Queen’s Park. The film is produced by Nasser Group North. The screenplay is written by Jason Koornick (Next), adapted from The Legend of Mickey Tussler, the critically acclaimed novel by Frank Nappi.

About the Cast
Dean Cain is most widely known for his role as Clark Kent/ Superman in the popular series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He was born in Mount Clemens, Michigan and grew up in Malibu, Calif. In high school, he excelled in sports. He played for the Santa Monica High School baseball team and was offered athletic scholarships to 17 universities. He attended Princeton University and upon graduating, signed on to play with the NFL Buffalo Bills. After suffering a knee injury, he turned to acting. In 1998, Cain started the Angry Dragon Entertainment production company, which produced the TBS Superstation television series Ripley's Believe It or Not!. He has also starred in several films, including The Broken Hearts Club (2000), Out of Time (2003), Bailey's Billion$ (2004) and the made for television movie The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story. Cain made a return to the Superman franchise, with a special guest role in a seventh season episode of Smallville.  More recently, he starred in the GMC World Premiere Movie The Way Home.  

George Canyon is a Country music singer. He was the season 2 runner-up on Nashville Star, which led to a deal with Universal South Records and his debut album, One Good Friend. He grew up in Nova Scotia, Canada. When he was five, his parents built him a three-quarter-sized acoustic guitar and taught him the essential chords. At age 14, he was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes.  He serves as a spokesperson for the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation in Canada. He holds an appointment in the Canadian Forces as Honorary Colonel at 14 Wing Greenwood. He lives in High River, Alberta.

Luke Schroder is the son of Ricky Schroder, the award-winning actor and film director whose long-running acting career includes major roles in the 1979 film The Champ, Silver Spoons, Lonesome Dove, NYPD Blue, and guest starring roles on Scrubs, Strong Medicine, 24 and No Ordinary Family. The gmc World Premiere Movie A MILE IN HIS SHOES marks his first leading role and acting debut. Luke is the second of four children, born on August 1, 1993 to Andrea Bernard-Schroder and Ricky Schroder. He lives in Malibu, Calif. with his parents and three siblings.  

About the Director
William Dear is a film director, producer and screenwriter most widely known for directing Angels in the Outfield, If Looks Could Kill, Santa Who?, The Sandlot 3, The Perfect Game, Wild America, and the Academy Award winning film Harry and the Hendersons, which he directed, wrote and produced. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.