Ben Stiller says woke America killed ‘edgier’ comedy
As a film enthusiast with a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for the intricacies of cinematic storytelling, I find myself drawn to Ben Stiller‘s Tropic Thunder. The movie, which showcases an all-star cast, tackles the complexities of Hollywood with wit, satire, and a healthy dose of self-deprecation.
Ben Stiller doubts a movie like Tropic Thunder would have been greenlit in today’s woke climate.
In a recent conversation with Collider, the 58-year-old actor – known for his role in the 2008 comedy/action movie that has become a subject of debate – expressed that creating ‘edgier’ humor is more challenging these days.
When questioned about creating a movie similar to that one, now considered racially insensitive, his response was, “I think it’s unlikely.
He stated, “Indeed, not on that same large scale economically speaking, regarding our business operations.
In my opinion, we were remarkably lucky to have it produced at the time, an luck I attribute to Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks. Reading it, he decided, “Let’s go ahead and produce this,” making it clear that it was more of an exclusive project.
Afterward, he mentioned Robert Downey Jr.’s part in the film that received criticism due to its employment of “blackface” makeup.
In the movie, Downey Jr.’s character experiences a made-up process known as color modification, which helps him depict a Black army officer on screen.
Robert taking on the role of a character portraying an African American individual, Stiller noted, is quite a tricky situation.
At the time, it was just as risky for us as well. However, I found the humor so obvious about who the target was – actors striving to secure awards at any cost – that we decided to go ahead with it.
To be frank, considering the current situation, I’m not certain I would have taken that action. I’m speaking honestly here.
In the previous year, Stiller firmly stood up for the movie Tropic Thunder, a production where Tom Cruise, Jack Black, Brandon T. Jackson, and Matthew McConaughey also played roles. He expressed his sense of pride in the film despite its criticism following accusations of “blackface” involving Downey Jr.’s character.
He asserted that he hadn’t offered an apology for any alleged insensitivity or racism in his comedy show, following accusations from socially conscious young adults who claimed it contained racially charged undertones and inappropriate portrayals of people with disabilities.
In 2008, the movie directed by Stiller about a troupe of unfortunate actors stranded in the Vietnamese jungle during the filming of a war film, which eventually became their survival ground, garnered worldwide success upon its release.
In more recent times, some find Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Kirk Lazarus, a character who changes the color of his skin to convincingly portray an African-American soldier, racially insensitive due to its depiction.
Stiller stood up for the movie in a recent post on X, asserting that he’s never issued an apology for turning the film into an adaptation of a screenplay they both wrote with Justin Theroux.
His admission was a response to one of numerous posts issued in defense of the film.
Hi Ben Stiller! Don’t feel a smidgen of guilt about that film you made – it remains hilarious as ever, even in our current cultural climate. After all, it’s just a MOVIE, meant to entertain and bring joy! Keep shining! 😄
The post said, ‘You all should move past it. When I initially saw it long ago, I nearly burst out laughing, and everyone else did too.’
Responding to this, Stiller posted: “I stand firm with no regrets over Tropic Thunder. I’m unaware of where such an idea originated. Since its release, it has been a contentious film. I remain proud of it and the efforts put forth by everyone involved.
Another user on social media brought up a past tweet by an actor, initially shared in reaction to a playful suggestion that the movie “Tropic Thunder” should be prohibited following snowboarder Shaun White’s decision to dress as Simple Jack, a disabled character from the film, for Halloween in 2018.
At the time, Stiller noted that ten years prior, Tropic Thunder had been avoided or not supported by some people upon its release. He also mentioned that he had already expressed his apologies for any issues back then.
The intention behind it was to poke fun at actors who go to extreme lengths for award recognition. Regarding my previous apology, let me reiterate, the film in question, ‘Shaun White’, and the exceptional efforts of the Special Olympics team are all highly respected.
After its premiere, the movie prompted over twenty advocacy organizations for people with disabilities, including the Special Olympics, to stage demonstrations due to their objection to the frequent usage of the term “retarded” in it.
Lately, Robert Downey Jr. has faced criticism from progressive millennials over his portrayal of a black character, despite the conscious writing of Stiller’s script and his proactive approach in seeking approval from the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) prior to its release.
Reflecting on the movie from 2020, I must confess I harbored some doubts initially when offered the part. However, after giving it some thought, those reservations vanished, and my newfound enthusiasm propelled me towards accepting the role. This decision eventually led to a 2009 Oscar nomination, making every moment of uncertainty worthwhile.
He said on The Joe Rogan Experience, “Initially, I planned, ‘Sure, I’ll do it later, post-Iron Man.’ However, as I pondered more, I realized, ‘That’s a rather foolish decision.’
‘I thought: “Hold on, dude. Get real here. Where is your heart?” My heart is a) I get to be black for a summer in my mind, so there’s something in it for me.
Another way to put it could be, “Additionally, it’s revealing to compare the behavior of artists, who often claim exceptions to their self-centered hypocrisy, with the standards of nature.
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2024-11-27 03:34