Tropic Thunder
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This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films. The content will change as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available. |
| Tropic Thunder | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster with Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and Robert Downey Jr. |
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| Directed by | Ben Stiller |
| Produced by | Stuart Cornfeld Eric McLeod Ben Stiller |
| Written by | Ben Stiller Justin Theroux Etan Cohen |
| Starring | Ben Stiller Jack Black Robert Downey Jr. Steve Coogan |
| Music by | Theodore Shapiro |
| Cinematography | John Toll |
| Editing by | Greg Hayden |
| Distributed by | Dreamworks Pictures Paramount Pictures |
| Release date(s) | August 15, 2008 |
| Running time | 125 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Budget | $70 million |
| Allmovie profile | |
| IMDb profile | |
Tropic Thunder is an upcoming 2008 action comedy film directed by Ben Stiller and starring Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. as a group of actors filming a Vietnam War movie when their fed-up writer-director decides to dump them in the middle of a real war. It is due for release on August 15, 2008.[1].
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[edit] Cast
[edit] Cast
- Ben Stiller as Tug Speedman, a pampered action-hero who attempted to turn into a serious actor - with disastrous results
- Jack Black as Jeff "Fats" Portnoy, a comedian-turned-drug addict well known for playing multiple parts in films.[1]
- Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus, an Australian multiple Academy Award-winning method actor who portrays an African-American character Sgt. Osiris.[1]
- Steve Coogan as Damien, the director of the film.[1]
- Nick Nolte as the film's writer.[1]
- Cameos
- Tom Cruise as the studio boss[1]
- Tobey Maguire[1]
- Matthew McConaughey
- Owen Wilson
- Katie Holmes
- Mickey Rooney
- Justin Theroux
[edit] Casting information
Downey's role was originally written for a black actor[citation needed], but was re-cast and re-written for Downey (thus calling for the blackface part of the plotline). Downey acknowledged the potential controversy over the role, but "at the end of the day, it's always about how well you commit to the character," he said. "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." Test screenings for African-American viewers have had positive responses.[1] Owen Wilson was to have Matthew McConaughey's role in the film, but dropped out after his suicide attempt in August 2007 (though his footage will be used in a different cameo part).[2]
the rating is R
[edit] Tom Cruise cameo controversy
The film's director had intended to keep Cruise's role in the film a surprise, and he is not credited in the movie.[3] The film studio has refused to release pictures of Cruise's character as he appears in the movie.[3] Images of Tom Cruise with a bald headpiece and in a fat suit appeared on Inside Edition in November 2007,[4] and also appeared on the Internet.[5] Attorneys for Tom Cruise threatened a lawsuit if photos showing Cruise bald, bearded and wearing a fat suit were published.[6] "Mr Cruise's appearance was supposed to be a surprise for his fans worldwide. [Paparazzi] have ruined what should have been a fun discovery for moviegoers," said representatives for Cruise.[7] Photo agency INF responded with a statement: "While these pictures were taken without breaking any criminal or civil laws, we've decided to pull them from circulation effective immediately."[6] MTV News reported that "..reps are reportedly having the image of a fat, balding Cruise pulled from the Internet as quickly as sites can put it up".[8] In an April 2008 interview with MTV News, Ben Stiller refused to discuss Tom Cruise's role in the film.[9]
[edit] Production
Ben Stiller got the idea for the film while shooting Empire of the Sun,[1] in which he played a small part. Shooting for the film took place on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, where Stiller has a home. The island was chosen based on a tax credit for in-state spending that was negotiated with the Kauai Film Commission.[10]
Before the film, three fake trailers will be shown, similar to the 2007 film Grindhouse. One of the trailers, entitled "Satan's Alley", features Downey Jr. and Tobey Maguire.[11] Another trailer, entitled "Simple Jack", features Ben Stiller, Justin Theroux, and Mickey Rooney
[edit] Reception
A trailer for the film was released in April 2008, and the Calgary Herald gave it a rating of 3/5, commenting: "This could either be good or very, very bad."[12] According to FOX News: "A preview of the film received a tepid response at aintitcoolnews.com — it’s a movie within a movie, always a bad concept as inside jokes go for the general audience."[13] The 9th annual Golden Trailer Awards declared Tropic Thunder's trailer as the best comedy trailer of the year.[14]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Vary, Adam B. "First Look: 'Tropic Thunder'", Entertainment Weekly, 2008-03-05. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ "Owen Wilson comedy role is recast", BBC News, 2007-09-20. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ a b Cieply, Michael. "Tom Cruise, in Bit Role, Nips Studio’s Top Gun", The New York Times Company, 2008-04-03. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Tom Cruise in a Fat Suit for "Tropic Thunder". WorstPreviews (2007-11-19). Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. "Revealed: More Details on Tom Cruise's Cameo in Tropic Thunder", People Magazine, Time Inc., 2008-04-03. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ a b Naidu, Rajeshni. "Tom Cruise fat suit photos banned", National Nine News, 2007-11-20. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Etherington, Daniel (2008-04-02). Tropic Thunder Movie Preview (2008) from Channel 4 Film. Channel 4 News. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Carroll, Larry (2007-11-20). Tom Cruise 'Tropic Thunder' Photo Spoils Surprise. MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Carroll, Larry (2008-04-03). 'Tropic Thunder' Multitasker Ben Stiller Can't Discuss Tom Cruise's Cameo, But He Did Reveal Jack Black's Water-Buffalo Baby. MTV News. MTV Networks. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Longwell, Todd. "Hawaii is enticing major filming productions", www.hollywoodreporter.com, 2008-05-16. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Sciretta, Peter. "Tropic Thunder to Feature Fake Movie Trailers", www.slashfilm.com, 2008-04-13. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ "Trailer Treasures & Trash: A Sneak Peek at the hottest trailers", Calgary Herald, www.canada.com, 2005-04-25. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Friedman, Roger (2008-03-31). Tom Cruise's Impossible 'Mission'. FOX News. FOX News Network, LLC. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
- ^ Kroll, Justin. "Golden Trailer Awards honor previews", www.variety.com, 2008-05-09. Retrieved on 2008-05-27.
