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

The Movie Club

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.