Ben Stiller on why he doubts Tropic Thunder could be made today

Ben Stiller has admitted filming his satirical comedy in 2008 Tropical thunder today would be “incredibly sensitive”.

The actor-director-producer recently stated: Collider Why he doubts this type of film could work in the current environment, where “edgier comedies are just harder to make.”

“Certainly not to the extent that we did in terms of the economics of the company,” he continued. “I think we were lucky even then that we made it, and I actually have Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks to thank for that. He read it and said, ‘Okay, let’s do this.’ It’s a very insider movie when you think about it.”

Tropical thunderThe film, which Stiller starred in and directed, also starred Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Jay Baruchel and Brandon T. Jackson. The film follows a group of egotistical actors who make a big-budget war film and are forced to become the soldiers they portray.

However, that is Zoolander The actor pointed to Downey’s now controversial role as one of the reasons the film probably wouldn’t be made today. The Oscar winner plays Kirk Lazarus, who undergoes “pigmentation change” surgery, as his character puts it, to play a black soldier in a film.

“The idea of ​​Robert playing this character, playing an African American, I think is incredibly sensitive,” Stiller added. “Of course it was tricky back then too. The only reason we tried it was because I felt like the joke was very clear in terms of who it was about – actors who will do anything to win awards. But now, in this environment, I honestly don’t even know if I would have dared to do it. I’m honest.”

Despite some criticism over the years, Stiller wrote on social media last year that he made “no excuse for this.” tropical thunder,” and added: “Since our premiere, the film has always been a controversial film. I’m proud of it and the work everyone did on it.”

Downey, who received an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his role in the film, has also previously defended the film. During an appearance on the Literally! With Rob Lowe Podcast earlier this year, he connected Tropical thunder and Norman Lear’s hit sitcom Everything in the familyin which he said, among other things: “There used to be an understanding with the audience, and I’m not saying that the audience no longer understands – I’m saying that things have become very unclear.” The spirit that Stiller directed, directed and turned Tropical thunder “In” was basically a slur against all these tropes that aren’t right and (that) have been perpetuated for too long.”