Ben Stiller refusing to apologize for ‘Tropic Thunder’ inevitably re-opens a can of worms

The controversy surrounding 2008’s comedyTropic Thunder is currently making headlines once again thanks to the film’s star and director, Ben Stiller. 

For context, Tropic Thunder follows actors as they attempt to shoot a major motion picture about soldiers. Still, because of unusual events that occur throughout the project, they are coerced into becoming the characters they are playing and defend themselves in actual warfare.  

The backlash to Tropic Thunder when it was first released in theaters involved multiple issues, including how people with disabilities were depicted, and the entirety of Robert Downey Jr.‘s character, Kirk Lazarus. In the Tropic Thunder plot, before playing the role of a soldier, Kirk Lazarus, an Australian actor who, like Downey, is white, had an operation to change his skin color in order to portray a Black man in a film. The public would later call out Downey for dressing up in blackface.

Earlier this week, singer Benny S. shared a screenshot of post he shared on his social media platform. In it, he opened up about how liberals were trying to cancel Tropic Thunder because of Downey’s blackface scandal, and voiced his frustrations regarding celebrities apologizing for their previous work.

To make his point, Benny S. claimed that Stiller had apologized for the controversy. Benny S. also mentioned that despite the flack Downey received, the Wayans brothers did a similar thing when they dressed up as white women in White Chicks, but allegedly didn’t suffer any scrutiny. Benny S. closed his statement by saying that celebrities must stop apologizing for what he considers “simple stuff” because a small group gets offended. 

Benny S. took his post up a notch by uploading the screenshot on his Twitter account, tagging Stiller, and telling the actor to “stop apologizing for doing this movie” because it was considered comedic gold.

Moments later, Stiller replied to Benny S.’ tweet and revealed that despite what the singer may have heard, he had not made an apology for Tropic Thunder. While disclosing his pride in the movie and the stars who worked alongside him on it, Stiller 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.”

As Stiller’s comment circulated online, Twitter users shared their reactions to the 57-year-old’s unapologetic behavior. 

One expressed that they are planning to watch Tropic Thunder in honor of Stiller. 

At the same time, another individual praised Stiller for standing his ground.

A third social media user brought up that Stiller shouldn’t have to apologize for Tropic Thunder because the film itself showcases the satire of Downey’s character. 

While one person shared that Stiller shouldn’t be forced to apologize for a comedic film.

This isn’t the first time the backlash regarding Tropic Thunder was addressed. In 2020, Downey opened up about the criticism he received for his role during an interview with Joe Rogan. As previously reported, Downey claimed when he first accepted the part, he was a bit reluctant, but because of the light that was going to be shed on that particular topic — i.e., the problematic nature of blackface — he decided to go along with it. The actor said,

“I think having a moral psychology is job one. Sometimes, you just gotta go, ‘Yeah I effed up.’ In my defense, Tropic Thunder is about how wrong [blackface] is, so I take exception.”

Downey would later receive an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Kirk Lazarus in Tropic Thunder.