Ben Stiller Declines To Issue Apology For Tropic Thunder, Expresses Pride In The Film

Ben Stiller stands by his involvement in “Tropic Thunder,” expressing pride in the 2008 action-comedy despite the controversies it has sparked.

“Tropic Thunder,” which premiered in 2008, depicts a group of actors making a war film who unexpectedly find themselves in a real conflict. The film received positive reviews and achieved significant commercial success, earning around $195 million against a budget of $92 million.

However, the film has faced criticism, particularly for Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of a character in blackface. Downey Jr. plays Kirk Lazarus, an Australian method actor who undergoes a controversial procedure to darken his skin for a role as Staff Sergeant Lincoln Osiris, a Black character.

Blackface, a practice where white individuals paint their faces to appear Black, has a history of being used to mock and demean Black people, and is widely regarded as offensive. Additionally, the film was criticized by disability advocacy groups, including the Special Olympics, for its portrayal of intellectual disabilities in one of its subplots involving Stiller’s character, who plays a role called ‘Simple Jack.’

Despite these controversies, Stiller, who co-directed and co-wrote the film, has defended “Tropic Thunder.” He has publicly stated that he is proud of the film and its cast. In response to criticism on social media, Stiller reaffirmed his stance, saying he makes no apologies for the film and emphasized that it was intended to satirize the lengths actors go to for awards.

In a 2018 tweet, Stiller addressed the film’s backlash, acknowledging that he had apologized when the film was first released and reaffirming his support for the Special Olympics and the film’s intent.

Robert Downey Jr., who was nominated for an Oscar for his role, initially had reservations about the part. During a 2020 appearance on “The Joe Rogan Experience,” he discussed his concerns and the film’s execution, noting that it aimed to highlight the absurdities of the acting industry. Downey Jr. mentioned that despite the film’s contentious aspects, many of his Black friends appreciated the performance.