Speaking with Collider, Ben Stiller – who directed, co-wrote and starred in “Tropic Thunder” – says there’s zero chance the film would get made today. In fact, he says he wouldn’t even dare put the idea into a script now.
Obviously, in this environment, edgier comedy is just harder to do […] But yeah, the idea of Robert [Downey Jr.] playing that character who’s playing an African American character, I mean, incredibly dicey. Even at the time, of course, it was dicey too. The only reason we attempted it was I felt like the joke was very clear in terms of who that joke was on — actors trying to do anything to win awards. But now, in this environment, I don’t even know if I would have ventured to do it, to tell you the truth. I’m being honest.
Last year, a Twitter user asked Stiller to stop apologizing for “Tropic Thunder,” to which the actor firmly responded that he never has and never will. Here’s his reply:
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.
It’s not like a certain sect of film critics aren’t condemning “Tropic Thunder” either. Take note of the bastsh*t crazy thinking that went into Robbie Collin’s 6.12.20 Telegraph essay, “Let’s Not Kid Ourselves — Tropic Thunder‘s blackface joke is no better than Bo’ Selecta.”
“Are we still allowed to laugh away unthinkingly at Tropic Thunder? Sorry, but no.”
Sure, let’s just cancel Robert Downey, Jr. and Stiller for attempting satire, or, better yet, let’s just remove “Tropic Thunder” from all streaming services. That’s basically what Collins was implying.
Regardless, Stiller is correct, no chance “Tropic Thunder” gets made in this heavily sensitized culture. Sure, go ahead and disagree with me, but remember in 2018 when athlete Shaun White dressed up as Stiller's Simple Jack character for Halloween and caused a total uproar, to the point where White had to issue an apology to the Special Olympics? This is real. This is the world we live in. Comedy is in dire straits at the moment.
“Tropic Thunder” is a landmine of triggered outrage waiting to happen. If this movie came out today, and bless Paramount for having had the guts to release it 15 years ago, most would be completely missing the point of it. Nuance is lacking these days.
Downey Jr's character, Kirk Lazarus, doing blackface was a satirical take on method acting. It wasn't just played for laughs. It had a purpose. In 2024, intent doesn't matter as much as perception. There isn't a firm line on what's funny and what's in poor taste anymore, but everyone loves to point out when they think that a line has been crossed.
Downey Jr. got SAG, BAFTA and Oscar nominated for his blackface performance. We had some kind of sense of humor back then. I feel bad for comedians, who like to push boundaries until that very fine line of what is deemed acceptable and unacceptable is somewhat squeezed to its very limit. That, to me, is what the very best of comedy can do. We’re seeing far less of that these days.