Posted on 03/08/2008 5:58:43 PM PST by BenLurkin
Actor Robert Downey Jr has in the past been applauded for his edgy roles.
But his latest may be a step too far - as the actor dons make-up to play a rather convincing looking black man in a new Hollywood film starring comic actor Ben Stiller.
In a still from film Tropic Thunder, Downey Jnr is sandwiched between Ben Stiller, and a blonde Jack Black.
Controversial: Actor Robert Downey Jr is virtually unrecognisble seen here sandwiched between actors Jack Black, left, and Ben Stiller, in an image from new film Tropic Thunder in which he wore a wig and make-up to look like a black man
With his afro hair and brown skin, he is virtually unrecognisable as the 42-year-old star of stage and screen.
Downey Jr plays a worthy Oscar-winning actor taking on a role originally written for a black actor, and rather than re-write the part, he goes method.
Clearing anticipating a backlash, Downey Jr told a US magazine: "If it's done right, it could be the type of role you called Peter Sellers to do 35 years ago. If you don't do it right, we're going to hell."
Ignore it. It’s total bull.
He does look black in that photo.
Funny I don’t recall a lot of outrage when Eddie Murphy played Asian, Jewish, or Caucasian characters.
Ben Stiller as a movie “tough guy” is your first clue....
I thought actors were rewarded for “stepping out of character?” I mean, look what Jim Carrey did in Me, Myself and Irene and Cable Guy?
That's what I was thinking. Rambo Stiller.
unrecognisble? Is that some pretentious faux-latin term or just a missssssspelling?
Whatever, I don't recognize any names here so they can do what they and I will feel free to ignore their work product.
Yawn.
Black, Downey and Stiller. Yep this is a winner of a movie. But who cares about the makeup. It looks to be a pretty good job. Probably far better than the acting.
Eddie Murphy plays whitey on SNL
That actually a fantastic make-up job.
Looks quite normal. Why in the world would anyone be offended by that?
It’s not like they used stereotypical exaggerations.
Downey was arrested again in a Palm Springs, California hotel for cocaine and Valium possession and being under the influence of a controlled substance on November 25, 2000.
On April 24, 2001, he was arrested in Los Angeles for being under the influence of a controlled substance after he was found wandering in an alley. He was not charged.
The charges from the November 2000 arrest were dismissed in July 2002 due to California's Prop. 36. The judge had determined that Downey had been drug free for 14 months.
Downey has not had any more public incidents since that time.
The whole scene looks fake too. Looks like they filmed it along the highway, just down the street from the Kukui Grove mall in Kauai. After they were done for the day heck they could just dart across traffic and head for the Starbucks.
Why are three old guys wandering around with guns? Why is the guy with the shotgun not on point? Why am I going to make it a point to miss this movie?
What about Michael Jackson who plays a white guy everyday. Don’t hear many criticisms of him.
With Jack Black watching their back.
Yeah, that’s a real tactical formation there (not). Notice Downey is carrying two weapons, more Hollywood BS.
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