Steven Spielberg saved Tropic Thunder

Ben Stiller praises Steven Spielberg for bringing his “explosive” 2008 satirical comedy “Tropic Thunder” to the big screen.

Stiller told Collider while promoting his latest film, “The Nutcracker,” that Spielberg was key in getting “Tropic Thunder” greenlit. The film subsequently received an Oscar nomination for Robert Downey Jr. in the Best Supporting Actor category; Downey played a Method actor who wears blackface to portray a Vietnam War soldier.

“I think we were lucky even then that we made it, and I actually have Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks to thank for that. He read it and said, ‘Okay, let’s do this,'” Stiller said. “It’s a very insider movie when you think about it.”

However, Stiller admitted that he might not have written and directed Tropic Thunder in 2024.

“Obviously it’s harder to do an edgier comedy in this environment,” Stiller said. “Definitely not on the scale that we have achieved, also in terms of the company’s profitability.”

He added: “The idea of ​​Robert playing this character playing an African-American is, I think, incredibly sensitive. Of course, even back then it was tricky. The only reason we tried it was because I felt like the joke was very clear in terms of who it was about – actors who will do anything to win awards. But now, in this environment, I honestly don’t even know if I would have dared to do it. I’m honest.”

Stiller wrote on Twitter back in 2023 that he was “unapologetic” about “Tropic Thunder,” adding, “Since our premiere, the film has always been a controversial film. I’m proud of it and the work everyone did on it.”

Downey said during Rob Lowe’s “Literally!” podcast in 2024 that the reception of edgier films like “Tropic Thunder” has become “murkier” these days.

“There used to be an understanding with the audience, and I’m not saying the audience doesn’t understand anymore – I’m saying things have become very unclear,” Downey said. “The spirit in which (Ben) Stiller directed, directed and shot ‘Tropic Thunder’ was essentially a diatribe against all these tropes that are not right and (that) have been perpetuated for too long.”