Ben Stiller is proud of the action-comedy “Tropic Thunder” and has remained steadfast in his support of it in spite of its controversy.
The 2008 film centers on a group of actors who unintentionally wind up in the middle of a real-life fight while filming a war movie.
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After receiving positive reviews, it shot to fame at the box office, earning almost $195 million on a reported $92 million budget.
Nevertheless, the movie has encountered a great deal of criticism over time. Star-studded cast members of “Tropic Thunder” include Stiller, Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Nick Nolte, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey, and Brandon T. Jackson.
A major source of disagreement is Downey Jr.’s character, Kirk Lazarus, an Australian method actor who darkens his skin to represent Staff Sergeant Lincoln Osiris, a Black figure, through the contentious procedure known as “pigmentation alteration.”
Blackface, as defined by the BBC, is the practice of someone, usually of white skin, painting their face darker to resemble a Black person. This practice has historically been used to make fun of Black people for the amusement of White audiences. This is a profoundly disrespectful and erroneous practice.
A number of disability advocacy organizations, such as the Special Olympics, also boycotted the film because it used a disparaging phrase to refer to individuals with intellectual disabilities. The actor Stiller plays, “Simple Jack,” is a figure that adds gasoline to the debate.
The film has been boycotted by many because of these objectionable parts. One person commented on social media while discussing it, saying, “It’s really disrespectful. simply goes to show how far we still have to go,” another person remarked. “I’m too uncomfortable to enjoy any of it.”
“Tropic Thunder” director and co-writer Stiller has defended the movie and voiced his pride in it. In response to a fan who urged him to never apologize for his role, he addressed the matter on X, the previous Twitter platform.
I apologize for Tropic Thunder, Stiller said. I’m not sure who informed you that. Since the day we premiered, the film has consistently generated controversy. I’m proud of it and all the effort that went into it.
He also responded to the criticism in 2018 with a tweet that said, “Actually, when Tropic Thunder came out ten years ago, it was boycotted, and I apologized then.” The joke has always been directed at performers who will stop at nothing to get an award. I stand by the movie and my apology. Additionally, the amazing people and efforts of the @SpecialOlympics
At first, Robert Downey Jr., who was nominated for an Oscar in the role, wasn’t sure about the character. In 2020, he said on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” “I thought, ‘Yeah, I’ll do it. That will come after Iron Man. I then began to think, “This is a really bad idea.”
He did, however, ultimately come to like the position, saying of it: “I get to hold up to nature the insane self-involved hypocrisy of artists and what they think they’re allowed to do on occasion.”
“Ben, who is a masterful artist and director… knew exactly what the vision for this was, he executed it, and it was impossible not to have it be an offensive nightmare of a movie,” Downey Jr. said, praising Stiller’s vision as well. Ninety percent of my buddies are Black were saying, “Dude, that was awesome.”
Both Stiller and Downey Jr. express pride in “Tropic Thunder” despite the controversy surrounding it, emphasizing its satirical view of Hollywood and the extent actors would go to in order to pursue their careers.
