Filed under: Celebrities
Robert Downey, Jr. is causing quite a stir with his newest role, in which he plays an Oscar-winning actor taking on a part originally written for a black actor — and rather than re-write the part, the character, well, decides to play it in blackface.
Robert tells Entertainment Weekly: ”If it’s done right, it could be the type of role you called Peter Sellers to do 35 years ago. If you don’t do it right, we’re going to hell.”
Or, even worse, go on to star in a different kind of hell: The Love Boat: The Next Wave, as Soul Man’s C. Thomas Howell did.
Tropic Thunder is a satirical “epic action comedy” written, directed and co-starring Ben Stiller. The movie also stars Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise (a cameo in a fat suit), Matthew McConaughey and Tobey Maguire.
Circus Hour sources say Stiller is also taking on a shocking character: a fastidious, slightly neurotic goody-two-shoes who is constantly misunderstood. What a stretch it will be!
Posted by Candy ♦ March 7, 2008
At 11:39 am CPTWilly said:
I don’t think I have ever been less interested in a movie.
Will Ben Stiller play himself in a war environment or will he stretch to play some other kind of character, any other kind of character. This guy has less range than my stove-top. He was funny in Meet the Parents, but he has played that same character (different name) in EVERYTHING else he has done.
Robert Downey Jr. looks healthier in all that makeup. You almost can’t tell he’s spent half his life in rehab.
March 7, 2008
At 12:20 pm Dr. L said:
I wonder how many takes they had to do before Ben was satisfied about the biceps shot? His right arm has airbrushed muscle and then carefully, lovingly, applied “dirt” makeup.
On second examination, maybe they did the above and then just photoshopped the biceps bulge.
Yep. They photoshopped him some biceps belly.
March 7, 2008
At 12:22 pm Dr. L said:
…And some forearm muscle mass as well.
What a prick.
March 7, 2008
At 12:38 pm Adam Smith said:
I can’t believe this is happening on the planet baby Jesus was born on.
March 7, 2008
At 2:23 pm Zip said:
Robert Downey Jr. looks cool in that make-up!!!
March 7, 2008
At 4:02 pm librarian kathleen said:
Ben Stiller has muscles?
March 7, 2008
At 4:27 pm Jane said:
Another straight to video masterpiece by Ben Stiller. *rolls eyes*
I agree Cpt Willy, he IS the same character in every movie. He, Owen Wilson, and Vince Vaughn all must have received their ‘acting’ training at the same place.
March 7, 2008
At 8:45 pm Demon Kitty said:
I am speechless. I really don’t think we are there yet.
March 7, 2008
At 1:48 am Zip said:
Robert Downey Jr. is one of the greatest black actors of our generation!!!
BTW…Robert Downey Jr’s street name is White Chocolate…Milk Chocolate for the movie, considering the make-up, that is!!!
March 8, 2008
At 7:15 am Annie Nonymous said:
My first reaction to this was WTF, unless there weren’t any black actors who actually wanted the role. I hold RDJ in highest respect and am grateful that he is still alive. Since his father did do Putney Swope, I’ll give him a pass on this one, only once! Plus, I agree it will probably be STV.
March 8, 2008
At 9:39 pm bluehawaii said:
Me thinks there’s never a shortage of actors, black or otherwise.
RDJ’s method acting is frustrating. Couldn’t understand a word he said in “Zodiac.” I accidentally blurted out in the theatre “I can’t believe this shit! Quit your method acting.” The row in front of me burst out laughing. Embarrassing.
March 8, 2008