Ben Stiller Says ‘Tropic Thunder’ Too Controversial for Today’s Hollywood

I think that a lot of people are accusing this generation – whatever they mean by “this generation” – of being too woke and too touchy to actually enjoy different works of art that carry content that may be triggering.

One of those people who believe so is Ben Stiller. Who, if you happen to have seen its re-runs on TV, is the star of ‘Zoolander,’ a comedy that caricatures male models.

But that’s not his most controversial work, if you can believe it: he, along with other stars like Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Jay Baruchel and Brandon T. Jackson, starred in a 2008 satirical comedy, titled ‘Tropic Thunder.’

According to him, in today’s climate, ‘Tropic Thunder’ would not pass production let alone have any kind of audience engagement.

Ben Stiller – Says He Wouldn’t Have Done ‘Tropic Thunder’ If It Were Brought Up Today

While Stiller loved making ‘Tropical Thunder’ in 2008, he considers it “incredibly dicey” for today’s climate.

When asked by Collider what he means when he called the film “incredibly dicey” for these times, he pointed out the movie’s“edgier comedy,” adding that those kinds of things are “harder to do” nowadays.

“Definitely not at the scale we made it at, too, in terms of the economics of the business,” he continued. “I think even at the time we were fortunate to get it made, and I credit that, actually, to Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks. He read it and was like, ‘Alright, let’s make this thing.’ It’s a very inside movie when you think about it.”

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Ben Stiller – Says Robert Downey Jr.’s Role In ‘Tropic Thunder’ Would Have Been Too Controversial For Present Day Audiences

Stiller served as an actor and director for ‘Tropic Thunder,’ but the role he believes takes home the cake when it comes to the movie’s most triggering content was actually played by Downey Jr.

For those who don’t know, ‘Tropic Thunder’ follows a group of egotistical actors making a big-budget war movie who are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying.

Interesting concept right, but then Downey Jr’s character Kirk Lazarus underwent what he calls “pigmentation alteration” surgery to be able to play a Black soldier in a film.

“The idea of Robert playing that character who’s playing an African American character, I mean, incredibly dicey,” Stiller added. “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.”

What do you think about this? Do you believe cinema is heading in the right direction by treading more carefully with their jokes? I mean it’s not a joke if it’s going to make you laugh and someone else cry, right? And I don’t mean cry in the sense of triggered by sugar-free ice cream, but really cry because it hurts.

Be sure to catch up on everything happening with Ben Stiller right now. Come back here often for all Ben Stiller spoilers, news, and updates.

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