WhenTropic Thunderwas released in 2008, the world was undoubtedly different. However, while times have changed, its creator’s feelings about the movie have not, with Ben Stiller recently chiming in to defend one of his best-known films.It’s not as if this action-comedy didn’t get enough flak 15 years ago, asTropic Thunderfeatures a protagonist wearing blackface for most of the movie, Robert Downey Jr, and a depiction of mental disability was controversial since the start. Regardless, none of that stoppedTropic Thunderfrom netting Downey Jr. an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, losing out tothe late Heath Ledger, and the movie from gaining a cult comedy status.RELATED:Will Iron Man Return To The MCU?In a recent Twitter conversation, Stiller reminded people thatTropic Thunderhas been synonymous with controversy since the beginning. Stiller told activist Benny S. that “I make no apologies forTropic Thunder” and that he remains “Proud of it and the work everyone did on it.” The original poster then quoted an old tweet from Stiller in 2018, where the actor and filmmaker behindTropic Thunderexplained he initially did apologize for the movie’s content, but that “It was always meant to make fun of actors trying to do anything to win awards.”
Stiller’s tweet from 2018 refers to snowboarding legend Shaun White and the Special Olympics in response to a further controversy that was sparked by the athlete wearing a “Simple Jack” costume that Halloween. InTropic Thunder, Simple Jack is a fictional Oscar bait role for Stiller’s character. Despite Downey Jr.’s use of blackface, it was the constant use of the word “retarded” and Simple Jack’s appearance that initially drew more criticism.
Funnily enough, Downey Jr. was initially relieved by this outrage, as the actor said he was a bit terrified about taking the role, with even his mother begging him not to do it, as he discussed during a 2020 episode ofThe Joe Rogan Experience, ultimately saying “I know where my heart was.” As mentioned, the film has usually been more controversial for how offensive it could be to disabled persons. However, that hasn’t stopped some from labellingTom Cruise’s epicTropic Thundercameoas antisemitic despite Stiller himself being Jewish.
Stiller recently reprised his Tugg Speedman role in a Super Bowl ad. But even ifZoolandermight still be his safer film,Tropic Thundercontinues to be a great movie because, as Robert Downey Jr. puts it, the goal was always to condemn the very exploitation of the communities that could be offended by it.
Tropic Thunderis available on Amazon Prime Video.
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