Featured Image Credit: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images and Dreamworks
After over 15 years, the film that remains Ben Stiller’s most controversial continues to spark online discussions.
Nevertheless, the star of Madagascar, Ben Stiller, has maintained an unapologetic stance regarding the film, responding to assertions that he had apologized earlier.
In the 2008 satirical action comedy, Ben Stiller portrayed the lead character Tugg Speedman. He shared the screen with Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and Matthew McConaughey, among numerous other Hollywood stars.
Earning an 82 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomato meter and a 7.1/10 on IMDb, the film received positive reviews from both critics and audiences.
The positive reception of the film persisted, even though Robert Downey Jr. portrayed a character in blackface—a satirical commentary on actors who excessively commit to method acting. Remarkably, the actor has expressed no regrets regarding this aspect of his performance.
The film appears to walk a delicate line between humor and potential offensiveness, acknowledging the thin boundary that it navigates.
Tropic Thunder is a 2008 satirical action comedy starring the likes of Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black. Credit: DreamWorks
Social media users have promptly highlighted the perceived offensiveness of the film, and one user claimed that Stiller had issued an apology for it in the past.
In a 2018 post on X platform, Stiller stated, “Actually, Tropic Thunder was boycotted 10 years ago when it came out, and I apologized then. It was always meant to make fun of actors trying to do anything to win awards.”
Contrary to claims that he apologized on X platform last year, the actor responded, stating, “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.”
“I’m proud of it and the work everyone did on it.”
Ben Stiller is proud of Tropic Thunder and doesn’t feel the need to apologise. Credit: Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Despite Stiller explicitly categorizing the film as a satire of Hollywood and the acting industry, criticisms persist from individuals who continue to scrutinize the actors and writers involved.
Tropic Thunder fans have swiftly come to the defense of the Zoolander actor, with one expressing, “Never apologize for comedy.”
Another user posted: “Good for you, it’s a f**king gem,” and a fan expressed their admiration by stating: “Legend. We love you bro. You made a masterpiece.”
@BenStiller Please stop apologizing for doing this movie. It was and still is funny AF… Even funnier now with cancel culture the way it is. It's a MOVIE. Ya'll can just get over it. I was DYING laughing when I first saw it back in the day and so was everyone else. pic.twitter.com/HEyR0ztQD4
— Benny S. (@BennySings) February 21, 2023
In a 2020 appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Robert Downey Jr. discussed the film, stating, “[Ben] knew exactly what the vision for this was, he executed it, it was impossible to not have it be an offensive nightmare of a movie.”
Discussing his character in blackface, the Iron Man star humorously remarked, “And 90 percent of my Black friends were like, ‘Dude, that was great’.”
“I can’t disagree with [the other 10 percent], but I know where my heart lies.”
Whether you hate it or love it, everyone involved in making the film takes pride in the results.
