Ben Stiller Speaks Out About Tropic Thunder Boycotts

Us Magazine - August 12, 2008 2:21 AM PDT
Story photo: Ben Stiller Speaks Out About Tropic Thunder BoycottsUs Magazine
Tropic Thunder director and star Ben Stiller, has spoken out about recent criticism that the movie depicts a negative portrayal of those with mental handicaps.

"It's sort of edgy territory, but we felt that as long as the focus was on the actors who were trying to do something to be taken seriously that's going too far or wrong, that was where the humor would come from," Stiller, 42, told MTV on Monday. "[The joke is on] actors reaching for roles in terms of hopefully winning awards."

Twenty-two disability groups are protesting Tropic Thunder.

"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," co-writer Etan Cohen told MTV. "The last thing you want is for people to think you're making fun of the victims in this who are having their lives turned into fodder for people to win Oscar."

Peter Wheeler, a spokesman for the Special Olympics is urging people to boycott the movie.

"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," Wheeler told Reuters. "That will be the start of a nationwide protest. We will continue to be vocal about the destructive effect of this film."

Chip Sullivan, a spokesman for DreamWorks said: "We have had productive discussions with representatives of disability advocacy organizations and look forward to working with them closely in the future. However no changes or cuts to the film will be made."

He added, "Tropic Thunder is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the top characters in ridiculous situations. The film is in no way meant
to disparage or harm the image of individuals with disabilities."

The flick, which opens August 13, stars Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Tom Cruise and Robert Downey, Jr.

Stiller recently revealed that he was "blown away" by Downey Jr.

"I started trying to copy him," the comic told Playboy. "It was like, 'Wow, this guy's a genius; maybe if I do what he does, I'll be a genius too!'"

Stiller joked: "If he had spun around and thrown oat bran at the moon, I'd have run out, bought some oat bran and started spinning. I want to look like I'm as big a genius as he is."

See photos of Hollywood bromances.

Tell Us: Are you boycotting the movie?


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  • Christy
    I will definitely not be going to see this film. I am the mother of a handicapped son and truthfully hollywood is just making it harder for children with disabilities by making it okay to call people these kinds of names and make fun of people with disabilities. Maybe if it was your child that fell into the category you would feel differently.
    report abuseposted August 16, 2008 6:34 AM PDT
  • B P
    It is not "PC" or being "waah waah" as previous posters have said, to have a problem with this movie. This movie is wrong and over the line. It is not funny to make humor from another's pain when they are not in on the joke. People who love someone with mental retardation worry every day about harm or a lack of dignity being afforded the person they c
    report abuseposted August 16, 2008 2:14 AM PDT
  • DB44
    I am not saying that speech and expression should be curtailed. I don't advocate that idea. I just think that if they wanted to make a smart, biting, adult satire that they could have found a more intelligent way to do it. By overusing the word they stoop too low. They went for the cheap laughs here which is below the talents of those involved. The rest of the film is probably great.
    report abuseposted August 14, 2008 12:19 AM PDT
  • DB44
    I love how people seem to think that because this is a movie and a satire that anything and everything is fair game. I love satire, but just because that is what they are attempting does not mean that they succeed. Liberal use of this particular word is quite puerile and perhaps they took it too far in the film. Maybe those who are so angry about the protests need some empathy training.
    report abuseposted August 14, 2008 12:10 AM PDT
  • BELLA
    The thing that 'protesters' never get is that they DRAW ATTENTION TO WHAT THEY ARE PROTESTING which makes people who wouldn't ordinarily have gone to see the move-- get up off their butts and go SEE WHAT ALL THE FUSS IS ABOUT. So it's a no win situation for the protesters. And anyway I hear that this movie is hilarious so I am definitley going. People w/ disabili
    report abuseposted August 13, 2008 6:39 PM PDT
  • one word WAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!! waaaahhh i heard a bad word, WAAAAAAHHHHHHH! there is a white guy playing a black guy.. all dave chapelle does is make fun of white people, and its freakin hysterical, but as soon as a white guy has some fun , not make fun of mind you, but has some fun playing a black dude, ohh know RACISM RACISM.. get a life people its a movie, nothing more, so stay home!
    report abuseposted August 13, 2008 6:34 PM PDT
  • chief
    Isn't it about time to end this PC stupidity? It's a comedy. It's meant to be over the top. This is not an educational video on retardation or autism. Go, watch the movie, and laugh. If you don't want to see the movie, then don't see it. Just don't try to make it out as "offensive." In fact, you're retarded. How about that
    report abuseposted August 13, 2008 5:47 PM PDT
  • Rome14.6
    People should focus on Russia and China. Russia did exactly what no one expected them to do...WAR.. and now G8 Doesn't know how to punish Russia- You all better enjoy this movie, before there is a 3rd War
    report abuseposted August 13, 2008 4:32 PM PDT
  • Rome14.6
    oh gosh, it will be a sad day, if the Roman Catholic Church comes back in and makes Decisions for the Directors and Executives as they once did in the 20's, 30' & 40's... It's meant to be a funny movie and to tear it apart is stupid. If this was the case, why didn't the criminally insane get together and boycott Batman for the Joker...
    report abuseposted August 13, 2008 4:25 PM PDT
  • Rome14.6
    it's disgusting how Ben Stiller Can't make a funny movie and people have to take the word "Retard" to a whole new level! Everyone knows the Difference of Retard and making fun of Retard....HOw many of you have used that word??? Please Except for the HOlier then Now. It wasn't meant to take an offense of the people with Disability and no one are they maki
    report abuseposted August 13, 2008 4:22 PM PDT
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