Robert Downey Jr. Said He Doesn’t Regret Blackface in Tropic Thunder

Robert Downey Jr.’s role in Tropic Thunder remains one of the most talked-about performances in modern comedy. In the 2008 film, Downey plays a method actor named Kirk Lazarus, an Australian who temporarily darkens his skin to portray a black character, Staff Sergeant Lincoln Osiris. The use of blackface sparked controversy even before the movie’s release.

Downey Jr. addressed the backlash during an appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience in 2020. He admitted that he hesitated before accepting the role. “I thought, ‘Yeah, I’ll do that, I’ll do that after Iron Man,’ and then I started thinking, ‘this is a terrible idea, wait a minute,’” he said.

He added, “Then I thought, ‘hold on dude, get real here, where is your heart?’ and my heart is: A, I get to be black for a summer in my mind, so that’s in it for me.”

The actor explained that the film’s goal was to satirize Hollywood actors and their ego-driven behavior. “I get to hold up to nature the insane self-involved hypocrisy of artists and what they think they’re allowed to do on occasion, just my opinion,” Downey said.

He also reflected on how the film was received by his friends. “It was impossible to not have it be an offensive nightmare of a movie… 90% of my black friends were like ‘dude, that was great.’”

When Rogan asked about the other ten percent of his friends who were critical, Downey admitted their perspective was fair. “I can’t disagree with them, but I know where my heart was… I think having a moral psychology is job one. Sometimes, you just gotta go, ‘Yeah, I effed up.’ In my defence, Tropic Thunder is about how wrong [blackface] is, so I take exception.”

Director Ben Stiller also defended the movie, expressing pride in its impact and execution. On Twitter, he wrote, “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. Proud of it and the work everyone did on it.”

He also doubled down on the fact that he never apologized, which is fair, as sometimes, when you apologize, you are canceled worse than someone who never even acknowledged that controversy took place.

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. Proud of it and the work everyone did on it. 🙏✊😊

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) February 21, 2023

Critics and audiences have generally received the film well. Rotten Tomatoes gives Tropic Thunder an 82% rating, with the site noting, “With biting satire, plenty of subversive humor, and an unforgettable turn by Robert Downey Jr., Tropic Thunder is a triumphant late summer comedy.” Metacritic rated it 71 out of 100, indicating generally favorable reviews, and CinemaScore audiences gave it a grade of B.

Downey Jr.’s performance, while controversial, is widely seen as a critique of both blackface and the extremes method actors go to for their craft. The film itself highlights these issues through humor and satire, making it a movie that sparks discussion even more than a decade after its release.

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