It’s supposed to be a happy week for stars like Jack Black, Ben Stiller, and Robert Downey Jr., but on the eve of the world premiere of their movie, Tropic Thunder, they could be experiencing some Tropic Thunder as groups are set to protest theaters from showing the movie.
There are about 22 groups in total who are protesting the movie, claiming that it is depicting a negative portrayal of those with “intellectual disabilities.”
A spokesman for the Special Olympics said;
“We are asking people not to go to the movie and hope to bring a consciousness to people about using derogatory words about this population. That will be the start of a nationwide protest. We will continue to be vocal about the destructive effect of this film.”
The derogatory word in question is Retard, which is used in the movie repetitively when referring to another character played by stiller called, Simple Jack.
A rep for Dreamworks responded by saying;
“Tropic Thunder is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the top characters in ridiculous situations. The film is in no way meant to disparage or harm the image of individuals with disabilities.”
The movie is holding it’s premiere tonight in Westwood, and many of these groups are said to be showing up to protest.
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