Ben Stiller Refuses To Apologize For Tropic Thunder And Says He’s ‘Proud’ Of Movie

Tropic Thunder was well-received and a box-office success, but it also faced controversy. Credit: Paramount Pictures

Tropic Thunder features an all-star cast, starring Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Tom Cruise, Jay Baruchel, Nick Holte, Steve Coogan, Danny McBride, Matthew McConaughey, and Brandon T. Jackson, among others.

One of the movie’s main criticisms is that it shows Downey Jr. donning blackface.

In the action-comedy, the star plays Kirk Lazarus, an Australian method actor who undergoes a controversial ‘pigmentation alteration’ surgery to temporarily darken his skin for portraying the Black character Staff Sergeant Lincoln Osiris.

Robert Downey Jr. controversially dons blackface in the action-comedy. Credit: Paramount Pictures

As explained by the BBC, blackface ‘commonly refers to when someone (typically with white skin) paints their face darker to resemble a Black person.’

The historical practice involves Black people being mocked for the entertainment of white people, with depictions being both inaccurate and deeply offensive.

The movie was also boycotted by multiple disability advocacy groups, including the Special Olympics, per USA Today, for its use of a word used to belittle people with an intellectual disability.

There are also scenes in which Stiller plays an actor who takes on the role of a character named ‘Simple Jack.’

Ben Stiller, who directed and co-wrote Tropic Thunder, says he’s ‘proud’ of the movie. Credit: Paramount Pictures

Many people have boycotted the film due to these aspects.

Discussing it on X (formerly Twitter), one person says: “It’s extremely offensive… just shows we have a long way to go.”

Another adds: “I’m too uncomfortable to enjoy any of it.”

Stiller, who directed and co-wrote the film, has defended Tropic Thunder and says he’s ‘proud’ of it.

Ben Stiller refuses to apologize for Tropic Thunder. Credit: @BenStiller/X

The actor addressed the movie’s controversy when one fan pleaded with him to never apologize for his involvement.

In response, Stiller said: “I make no apologies for Tropic Thunder. Don’t know who told you that.

“It’s always been a controversial movie since when we opened. Proud of it and the work everyone did on it.”

He also addressed its backlash in 2018, with a tweet reading: “Actually Tropic Thunder was boycotted 10 years ago when it came out, and I apologized then.

“It was always meant to make fun of actors trying to do anything to win awards. I stand by my apology, the movie… And the great people and work of the @SpecialOlympics.”

Ben Stiller has defended Tropic Thunder on X (formerly Twitter). Credit: @BenStiller/X

Before taking on the role, which ultimately earned him an Oscar nomination, Downey Jr. had his concerns.

On The Joe Rogan Experience in 2020, he recounted: “I thought, ‘Yeah, I’ll do that. I’ll do that after Iron Man.’ And then I started thinking, ‘This is a terrible idea.’”

Elsewhere in the discussion, Downey Jr. revealed why he had a change of heart.

“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,” he explained.

“Ben, who is a masterful artist and director… knew exactly what the vision for this was, he executed it, it was impossible to not have it be an offensive nightmare of a movie. And 90% of my Black friends were like, ‘Dude, that was great.’”

Related Posts

THE K9 WOULDN’T LEAVE HIS SIDE—EVEN AT THE FUNERAL

I didn’t think I’d cry that hard. Not in front of all those people. But when Rex—my uncle’s retired K9 partner—jumped onto the casket, something broke in…

I Asked My Neighbor to Clean Up After She Used My BBQ — The Next Day She Stuck Rules for My Property on My Door and Demanded I Follow Them

I didn’t think much of it. Just being neighborly, right? Well, I was very, very wrong. One weekend, my husband, David, and I decided to take our…

AT 60, I FOUND LOVE AGAIN 9 YEARS AFTER LOSING MY HUSBAND – AT THE WEDDING, MY LATE HUSBAND’S BROTHER STOOD UP AND YELLED, “I OBJECT!”

That moment shifted something inside me. I realized I still had a purpose. Over the next few years, I began rebuilding my life. I painted, I traveled,…

Elon Musk’s shocking photo sparks wild rumors

The photo, initially shared on X (formerly Twitter), turned out to be a manipulated image. Despite confirmation from fact-checkers and media outlets that the picture was altered,…

Why Nobody Should Be Eating Salmon Anymore

Characteristics of salmon Salmon are migratory fish, living in both fresh and salt water environments. They are born in freshwater rivers, move to the ocean to mature…

My Husband Blamed Me When Our Joint Account Overdrafted – I Was Shocked to Find Out the Real Reason Posted onApril 9, 2025 ByadminNo Commentson My Husband Blamed Me When Our Joint Account Overdrafted – I Was Shocked to Find Out the Real Reason

Still locked out of the account, I texted him. “Hey, do you know why the joint account overdrafted?” The reply came almost immediately. “Yarn. Seriously, Amy. All…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *