Right Celebrity

It’s not like Robert Downey Jr. has never been controversial. But this one might take the cake. Downey stars in Ben Stiller’s latest film, “Tropic Thunder”, … as a black man.

Robert Downey Jr.
Photograph by PR Photos

You may remember “Tropic Thunder” as the film Owen Wilson was supposed to star in prior to his suicide attempt. That role has since been assumed by Matthew McConaughey.

But now the film is getting even more attention for being racially controversial. Some viewers find it offensive, wondering if the film is inferring that there are no good black actors. Others say it’s ok because the film doesn’t legitimize negative stereotypes. For his part, Downey hopes it’s just done well,

“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.”

The role was originally written for a black man, and apparently people at the film thought this route was better than rewriting the part.

The basic plot of the film is a story about a group of arrogant actors who are making the most expensive Vietnam war movie ever. But when the film maker gets fed up with how self-involved they are, he drops them in the middle of the jungle where they become involved in a conflict they don’t realize is real.

The film is directed by Ben Stiller and also stars him, Jack Black, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, Tom Cruise, and Tobey Maguire.

A similar controversy ensued recently when Saturday Night Live was criticized for having Fred Armisen, also not black, impersonate Barack Obama. Lorne Michaels defended the sketch and said there’d be more to come.

See photos of Robert Downey Jr. as a black man and a clip where he talks about “Tropic Thunder” below.

Robert Downey Jr. Photos

To see the video, click here.