First Look: Robert Downey Jr as Black Man in ‘Tropic Thunder’

Posted by Neil Miller (neil@filmschoolrejects.com) on March 5, 2008

Robert Downey Jr. as a Black Man in Tropic Thunder In less than two months actor Robert Downey Jr. is going to be virtually on top of the entertainment world when he hits the big screen as Tony Stark in Iron Man. If you’ve seen the most recent Iron Man trailer, then you’ll agree that it is the closest thing we’ve had a to sure-fire hit so far in 2008 (especially considering the flop that was Semi-Pro).

But after Iron Man rocks the silver screen, Downey Jr. will be popping up in a handful of other films in 2008. For starters, he has a listed cameo as Tony Stark in Louis Leterrier’s The Incredible Hulk and he stars alongside Jamie Foxx and Catherine Keener in Atonement director Joe Wright’s The Soloist, a film that is already gathering some awards season cred. His fourth and final role of 2008 though, will be in Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder, due out August 15th. EW has given us our first look at Downey, Stiller and Jack Black in the action comedy with the picture to the right.

Take a moment, look carefully.

Yes, that was not a typo. In the image to the right, we see Ben Stiller and Jack Black with Robert Downey Jr. between them, walking through the jungle. In the film, which is a satire that takes aim at the egos of big Hollywood actors (like the three pictured), Downey plays Kirk Lazarus, an Oscar caliber actor who ends up with a part that was originally written for a black man. Instead of recasting, Lazarus decides to dye his skin to play the character of Osiris, well, authentically.

Stiller directs (for the first time since Zoolander) and stars as a big action star who is headlining a modern day Apocalypse Now. Jack Black plays a comedian known for playing multiple roles in his films (like his last film, The Fatties: Fart 2). As EW explains, “when the film’s director (Steve Coogan) and writer (Nick Nolte) get fed up with their prima donna cast, they drop them into the jungle to fend for themselves. The actors think they’re doing some sort of full-immersion filmmaking, but the danger they’re in is very real.”

If you remember, we showed you pictures a while back of Tom Cruise in a fatsuit for this film, one of the many cameos that we can probably expect to see in Thunder. But I have a feeling that no matter how ridiculous the cameos get (IMDB also lists Tobey Maguire, Matthew McConaughey and Bill Hader in Thunder), people will be talking about the transformation of Robert Downey Jr. most. Is it outrageous? Absolutely. Incredibly dangerous? You bet your ass. But no matter how risky, Downey told EW that he is very confident that they have not crossed the line:

“At the end of the day, it’s always about how well you commit to the character,” he says. “I dove in with both feet. If I didn’t feel it was morally sound, or that it would be easily misinterpreted that I’m just C. Thomas Howell in [Soul Man], I would’ve stayed home.”

Personally, I think that this is becoming a very highly anticipated comedy. First Tom Cruise in a fat suit, and now this — I think I’m in. If you forget about all the crap Ben Stiller has done in his career (of which there is a lot), you will still be remembering Zoolander, his last directorial effort, as one of his better films. The concept, cast and gags that are going into Tropic Thunder seem to me like they will work just fine. There really is nothing like seeing Hollywood bring down the hammer on their own egos — no matter how silly, or in this case borderline inappropriate, it may be. But that’s just my opinion…

Paramount Pictures plans to debut the first trailer for Tropic Thunder on March 17 online.

Sound Off: What do you think, is Robert Downey Jr. as a black man going to be funny?

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spencer

oh no. blackface = baaaaaaaaaaaad news.

I suppose THEORETICALLY blackface could be worn as some kind of social commentary. It would need to be very carefully approached and quite explicitly (read: something hollywood doesn't do).

Tom Cruise is an evil man. Jack Black rocks. comedies are good.

I guess I'll buy tickets.

anton

But he doesn't use blackface to play a black character, he plays a white character who uses blackface to play a black character. Like Zach Braff playing JD who uses blackface on occasion. It's funny! Trust me.

Robbo

There is a long and unfortunate history within U.S. culture regarding the portrayal of African-Americans - ranging from outright racism and bigotry to pure naive ignorance. The pendulum swings from the one extreme of racial hatred to the well-intentioned excesses of political correctness are dizzying to watch.

It all comes down to context.

Eddie Murphy (speaking of fat suits) often portrays white characters - sometimes to humorous effect - and because there isn't a negatively charged history behind such portrayals, as opposed to Bing Crosby in the film "Holiday Inn" getting "corked up" or Lawrence Olivier's screen performance as Shakespeare's "Othello" (we won't waste any time with C. Thomas Howell here), it comes as no surprise that Murphy's work is lauded instead of being considered controversial.

I'm reminded of 1964's "Black Like Me", which starred James Whitmore as a reporter who dyes his skin to pass for black and experience what it was like to live as an African-American in the U.S. at that time. The film is flawed for many reasons but the story, based on the book of the same title and a true account of the author's own journey, was never faulted for having a "black" character who was actually white. The context of the story allowed for it.

Asian, First Nations and many other "ethnic" types still get the "They look close enough." treatment in Hollywood films. It would certainly be outrageous if Nicole Kidman "blacked up" to play the life-story of Rosa Parks. Funny? Hell yes - but unintentionally so.

Robert Downey Jr. is, aruably, one of the finest film actors in the world today and he never disappoints with his wholly original and unexpected approach to his characters. I don't care if this movie turns out to be one big huge steaming turd of a flop - I'll still watch it - just for Downey's performance.

And I have no doubt I'll be laughing my ass off.

An egocentric and not terribly bright actor dropped into the jungle, resolutely attempting to portray a black man? The context alone already has me giggling.

thickcarmelcuti

I love Robert Downey Jr, and I am sure that I will be peeing my pants with laughter...there are too many overt examples of "isms" - racism, sexism, etc - to get bent out of shape over this...he looks pretty good btw...lmao!

Tony

More power to him. I think it usually turns out pretty funny whenever a person, no matter what the color or religion or sex, plays something completely opposite. It may be offending to some people, but chances are it will be funny to more. Its those few people in the world who blow these things out of proportion. Anybody remember Trading Places?? Dan was playing black guy, and although it was a short scene, it was histerical. Or whatabout a movie with Gene Wilder and Richard Pryor, where Gene portrayed a black person... that was comedy. The minority of people who think this may be offensive, should not ruin it for all those who dont. I hate it when stuff like happens, where we have to do things a certain way because 10 people will get offended, but 1000 wont, but 10 will..... This is America, free country to act, say, and think whatever we want. Dont like it, dont watch it.

Huey

I just don't see the double standard that allows The Wayans brothers to dress up like white chicks but suddenly it's a horror that a white may where black? No justice

Joe

Americans are SO whiny. Who cares if a white guy plays a black guy. If you are butt-hurt, just don't go see it. Christ!

Blackface performers back in the day were BEING racist BEYOND the costume, it was the CONTENT. So don't be such a reactionary.

james

This is not Blackface. Blackface is a makeup style intended to demean us Black folks. With the over sized white lips and such. This is a white man in make up making him look black. There is nothing wrong here, at least judging by the still photo.

I'm not a fan of Ben Stiller, so I'm sure there is content that would affend me if I actually see this movie. As far as Downey's role being funny, the original queation, has a lot to do with how the chracter is played. If it's played like Jimmy Walker in fatigues then I wouldn't find it funny at all.

And also we shouldn't discount other peoples opinons on the matter as winy, etc... Just make your point and move on.

Bill

Sounds like Three Amigos. 3 has been actors placed in harms way where they think they are filming.

E-69-E

Robert Downey Jr. looks like Tiger Woods in that pic.

First Look: Robert Downey Jr as Black Man in ‘Tropic Thunder’

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