Want to know all about the tropic thunder controversy? Tropic Thunder made its way into the theatres back in 2008, as Marvel star Downey portrayed the role of an Australian actor named Kirk Lazarus. Lazarus has been hailed as a five-time Oscar winner who is popularly known for being a method actor. The actorbased his character on some of the iconic actors, including la Daniel Day-Lewis, Russell Crowe, and Colin Farrell. As viewers saw in the movie, the onscreen character Lazarus seemingly had to go through a skin pigmentation procedure in order to transform his skin color, which will enable him to play a black man named Staff Sgt. Lincoln Osiris in a Vietnam war film.
The role, however, was controversial, contrary to what Downey and Stiller argued about the movie’s plot is key in their use of blackface. While the movie also had a memorable cameo by Tom Cruise, the content has still been hailed as a bit controversial. Lead star Robert Downey Jr. explained that director and actor Ben Stiller “knew exactly what the vision” for the comedy was, and that is what he executed in the movie. Let us take a look at all the details and lesser-known facts about the tropic thunder controversy.
Tropic Thunder Controversy
2018 release Tropic Thunder came under huge fire after lead star Robert Downey Jr. allegedly got a pass in playing the character who was “a dude, playing a dude, disguised as another dude.” However, this was not the sole controversy that Tropic Thunder came under, as some. People were not thrilled to see writer/director/co-star Ben Stiller’s character, Tugg Speedman, playing a mentally disabled character.
Many criticized the role as Stiller played the role of an action hero whose career suddenly takes a dip after he plays a mentally challenged person. Robert Downey Jr. plays the role of an Australian actor who gets his pigmentation altered as he is getting ready to play the role of an African-American soldier. The role was seen as offensive by many, but the actor later claimed that it was not quite the scenario. He continued to explain that Stiller knew exactly what the vision for this was as it was impossible not to have it be an offensive nightmare of a movie.
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Robert Downey Jr. Opens Up About His Role
Lead star Robert Downey Jr. has looked back at the tole that came under so much controversy, but he insisted that he has no regrets over his “Tropic Thunder” blackface role. The Marvel star further explained that it was “impossible not to have it be an offensive nightmare of a movie, and 90% of his black friends actually loved the role and said it was great.
When podcast host Joe Rogan asked about the other 10% of people, the actor said that he could not disagree with them but was well aware knew where his heart was. Downey further added that it is never an excuse to do something that is out of place and not of its time but to. He, it was just putting a blasting cap on. The actor also mentioned the movie White Chicks and how he absolutely loved the movie.
What Was Robert Downey Jr.’s Mother’s Reaction?
It seems like lead actor Robert Downey He’s mother had some thoughts to share about his controversial role in the movie. The actor admitted that his mother told him about having a bad feeling about this, and he recalled his conversation with his mother at the time about the role.
Robert Downey Jr. has opened up about this role at length. The actor admitted that Initially, he thought it was a bad idea. Robert Downey Jr stated that he got to be black for a summer in his mind and believed that there was something in it for him.
