Tropic Thunder: How Ben Stiller and Robert Downey Jr. Created Comedy Gold

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Ben Stiller’s Tropic Thunder is one of the boldest and funniest films of the 2000s. We’re diving into its massive $195 million success, breaking down hilarious scenes, exploring why Robert Downey Jr.'s performance still captivates, and debating why it remains a comedic classic.

By the Numbers: Tropic Thunder (2008)

• Total Budget Spent on the Movie: $92 million
• Gross Revenue: $195 million
• Box Office Revenue: $110 million (Domestic)
• Streaming Revenue: $85 million (Global)
• Awards Won: 1 Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor (Robert Downey Jr.)

Main Cast:

• Ben Stiller as Tug Speedman
• Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus
• Jack Black as Jeff Portnoy
• Brandon T. Jackson as Alpa Chino
• Jay Baruchel as Kevin Sandusky
• Tom Cruise as Les Grossman
• Matthew McConaughey as Rick Peck
• Nick Nolte as Fourleaf Tayback
• Bill Hader as Studio Executive

What You Need to Know About This Movie:

• The movie is a satire of Hollywood's obsession with war epics and method acting.
• Robert Downey Jr.’s role, playing an actor in blackface, sparked debate about satire and race in comedy.
• Ben Stiller originally wrote the script in the 1980s but didn’t get to produce it until 2008.
• Tom Cruise, who played Les Grossman, requested fat hands and a dance scene as part of his conditions for joining the cast.
• The head explosion scene was inspired by iconic war films like Platoon.
• Booty Sweat, the fake energy drink, was a promotional item for a limited time during the movie’s release.
• The film was a box office success, remaining at the top of the charts for three consecutive weeks in the U.S.
• It remains controversial for its bold and sometimes offensive humor but is praised for its sharp satire.

Fun Facts:

• The film was shot in Kauai, Hawaii, which also hosted Jurassic Park and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• Robert Downey Jr. stayed in character as Kirk Lazarus throughout filming, including off-camera.
• The film’s mock product, Booty Sweat, was sold as part of the marketing campaign.
• Owen Wilson was originally cast but had to drop out due to personal reasons, leading to Matthew McConaughey’s casting.
• The film won multiple MTV Movie Awards and was a top-grossing comedy in 2008.
• Ben Stiller’s wife, Christine Taylor, makes a cameo in the Simple Jack trailer as his mother.
• Tom Cruise’s fat-suited role as Les Grossman was so popular it almost spawned a spin-off.
• Kevin Hart was initially offered the role of Alpa Chino but turned it down.

Movie Mistakes:

• Robert Downey Jr.’s Australian accent slips into an American accent during a few key scenes.
• In the jungle scenes, the map used by the characters changes positions between shots.
• A continuity error occurs during the explosion sequences where props and costumes change between takes.
• In some shots, Jack Black's character is covered in different amounts of fake blood between cuts.