As Tropic Thunder marks 15 years since its premiere, FEMAIL lays bare the many scandals that have plagued its success – from Blackface outrage to anti-Semitism fury
- The 2008 action-comedy followed a group of hapless actors filming in Vietnam
- This weekend will mark the 15-year anniversary of the blockbuster’s release
- But it was plagued with controversies which continue to haunt it to this day
Tropic Thunder was plagued with controversy from the outset after first rumbling onto our screens in 2008.
The action-comedy followed a group of hapless actors who were forced to fend for themselves after getting lost while filming a war movie on location in Vietnamese jungle.
But many were quick to label the blockbuster as being racially offensive due to Robert Downey Jr’s portrayal of Kirk Lazarus – an Australian method actor who surgically darkens the pigment of his skin to play an African-American soldier.
Additionally, there was criticism upon its release from the disability advocacy community over the character Simple Jack, played by Ben Stiller.
Tropic Thunder was plagued with controversy from the outset after first rumbling onto our screens in 2008
Since then, a whole host of other contentious issues have also been flagged – including the film’s Asian representation and anti-Semitic remarks.
As a result, in recent months, Tropic Thunder has been targeted once again, forcing the actors involved to rush to its defense.
Now, as it prepares to celebrate its 15-year anniversary, FEMAIL has laid bare the worst controversies which continue to plague the film to this day.
The biggest criticism levelled against Tropic Thunder is its use of Blackface
Tropic Thunder branded itself on being a multi-pronged satire of the film industry – but many argued that it went too far.
Downey Jr assumed blackface for his role as Kirk Lazarus – an Australian method actor who sparked controversy by having a ‘pigmentation alteration’ procedure as he prepared to play a black character.
Lazarus was created in a bid to call out actors who go to extreme – and often offensive – lengths in search for critical acclaim.
But, despite their best intentions, the risk seemingly backfired and Downey Jr himself faced a barrage of criticism.
Downey Jr assumed blackface for his role as Kirk Lazarus – an Australian method actor who sparked controversy by having a ‘pigmentation alteration’ procedure as he prepared to play a black character
Lazarus was created in a bid to call out actors who go to extreme – and often offensive – lengths in search for critical acclaim
In 2020, however, Downey Jr reflected on his blackface role during an interview on The Joe Rogan Experience.
He insisted that he has no regrets about the part – for which he is was nominated in the Supporting Actor category at the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Speaking about his reservations, he said: ‘I thought: “Yeah, I’ll do that. I’ll do that after Iron Man.” And then I started thinking, “This is a terrible idea.”
‘I thought: “Hold on, dude. Get real here. Where is your heart?” My heart is a) I get to be black for a summer in my mind, so there’s something in it for me.
‘The other thing is 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.’
More than 20 disability advocacy groups objected to Tropic Thunder’s use of ableist slurs
Upon its release, Tropic Thunder also attracted criticism from the disability advocacy community over the portrayal of ‘Simple Jack.’
The film shows Stiller’s character Tugg Speedman attempting to revive his career after starring in a movie about a mentally-challenged farm boy.
A coalition of more than 20 disability advocacy groups objected to the film’s repeated use of the word ‘ret***’ with groups picketing screenings of the film.
Upon its release, Tropic Thunder also attracted criticism from the disability advocacy community over the portrayal of ‘Simple Jack’
The film shows Stiller’s character Tugg Speedman attempting to revive his career after starring in a movie about a mentally-challenged farm boy
Peter Wheeler, spokesman for Special Olympics – one of the charities involved in the objection, said at the time: ‘We are asking people not to go to the movie and hope to bring a consciousness to people about using derogatory words about this population.’
Stiller defended the film, previously stating: ‘We screened the movie so many times and this didn’t come up until very late…
‘In the context of the film I think it’s really clear, they were making fun of the actors and actors who try to use serious subjects to win awards.’
Co-writer Etan Cohen also stated: ‘Some people have taken this as making fun of handicapped people, but we’re really trying to make fun of the actors who use this material as fodder for acclaim.’
The blockbuster was also criticized over casual anti-Semitism and Asian representation
Despite blackface and ableism being the two main criticism leveled against the film, they were not the only points of contention.
Tropic Thunder came under yet more fire for its casual, anti-Semitic undertones.
Critics have publicly blasted the blockbuster for comments made in reference to the ‘Jewface’ of antagonist Les Grossman – played by Tom Cruise.
Critics have publicly blasted the blockbuster for comments made in reference to the ‘Jewface’ of antagonist Les Grossman – played by Tom Cruise
And, as if that wasn’t enough, there have been other reports hitting out at its other racial representations.
For instance, in a round up for outlet Mary Sue, one writer slammed the film for ‘painting its South Asian cast as flat caricatures.’
It added that they had taken issue with ‘the construction of antagonists as these equally ruthless and inept brown people that dwell in the jungle.’
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