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Race row as actor Robert Downey Jr 'blacks up' for new film
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=528496&in_page_id=1773 ^ | 17:38pm on 7th March 2008

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."


TOPICS: Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: benstiller; careerhell; hollywood; jackblack; robertdowneyjr
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To: Ezekiel

It’s actually a comedy, on IMDB.com it says

“Through a series of freak occurrences, a group of actors shooting a big-budget war movie are forced to become the soldiers they are portraying”


21 posted on 03/08/2008 6:19:28 PM PST by Pylon (Remember boys, flies spread disease, so keep yours closed.)
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To: BenLurkin
As near as I can tell, the film is a comedy and the bit with Downey is actually a satire of "method actors" who go to extremes to play characters that they look nothing like.
22 posted on 03/08/2008 6:19:37 PM PST by Behind Liberal Lines
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To: BenLurkin

I have seen White Chicks at least 50 times. I don’t recall any major backlash. And it isn’t done in a parody way, but it is really amazing the make up!


23 posted on 03/08/2008 6:19:58 PM PST by Southerngl
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To: BenLurkin

Hey, I am just glad RDJr managed to make it through a movie without being arrested and/or crashing in a little girls bed.


24 posted on 03/08/2008 6:21:02 PM PST by Southerngl
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To: Levante

It actually makes a little bit of sense in context. The movie is apparently about a trio of demanding actors who are dropped into a real war zone when their producers get fed up with them. They think it’s just a movie. So, I wouldn’t expect them to even look like they know what they’re doing.


25 posted on 03/08/2008 6:23:45 PM PST by Rastus
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To: digger48
Hillary Clinton dons black make up and a fat suit in a desperate attempt to appeal to portly minority super-delegates:


26 posted on 03/08/2008 6:26:15 PM PST by Callahan
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To: Rastus

Good “point.” (no pun intended - :)

Thanks for the info!


27 posted on 03/08/2008 6:27:23 PM PST by Levante
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To: Ezekiel

Ben Stiller is in way better shape than I would have guessed. Successful Hollywood actors have lots of time for gyms and personal trainers. Even the comedians.


28 posted on 03/08/2008 6:28:28 PM PST by Callahan
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To: InABunkerUnderSF

It’s a comedy. From what I can gather, the movie is about a group of actors and a production company who go to some Third World country to film a war movie and then a real war breaks out and they have to fight for their lives. Downey’s role as a black person is part of the plot.


29 posted on 03/08/2008 6:29:54 PM PST by Brad from Tennessee ("A politician can't give you anything he hasn't first stolen from you.")
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Comment #30 Removed by Moderator

To: BenLurkin

Isn’t the plot premise about a white guy who had to put on blackface in order to get hired? I’d think this would negate the racism angle. But nobody cares about that.


31 posted on 03/08/2008 6:31:22 PM PST by squidly
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To: Behind Liberal Lines

It’s the backlash by dumb blondes that will kill it.


32 posted on 03/08/2008 6:32:17 PM PST by kenavi ("My mudder thanks you, my fodder thanks you, and Obama thanks you!")
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To: BenLurkin
Jack Black

Along with Queen Latifah and Will Farrell, is one of the most over-rated "actors" in Hollywood.

33 posted on 03/08/2008 6:36:38 PM PST by Hardastarboard (DemocraticUnderground.com is an internet hate site.)
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To: InABunkerUnderSF
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?

Hello? Hello? Hello! This is a COMEDY! Or did you think that Zoolander was a serious look at the world of male modeling?

34 posted on 03/08/2008 6:37:07 PM PST by PJ-Comix (Join the DUmmie FUnnies PING List ---The BIGGEST on the FR!!!)
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To: Pylon; Lijahsbubbe
It’s actually a comedy...

Well ain't that a relief! lol

Is there a Tootsie/Silver Streak angle also? RD Jr. can't get any rolls as a white guy and everyone knows he's a pita, so he does like George Caldwell and plasters on the shoe polish?

35 posted on 03/08/2008 6:39:27 PM PST by Ezekiel
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To: Hardastarboard

Will Farrell overrated? Get real. He’s a talented actor/comedian.


36 posted on 03/08/2008 6:42:02 PM PST by Extremely Extreme Extremist
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To: BenLurkin
Sure, everyone wants to get on Downey's case now when he isn't inside his flying suit of armor.

Of course, Downey's best work was in "Betty Ford: the Musical"
"Check it out! I'm checkin' in!!"

37 posted on 03/08/2008 6:45:19 PM PST by Tanniker Smith (Any Monday you can walk away from is a good one.)
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To: Brad from Tennessee
It’s a comedy.

How's that possible??? It's got Ben Stiller in it.

38 posted on 03/08/2008 6:46:33 PM PST by Tanniker Smith (Any Monday you can walk away from is a good one.)
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To: BenLurkin

I know that black guy.....


39 posted on 03/08/2008 7:11:32 PM PST by usmcobra (I sing Karaoke the way it was meant to be sung, drunk, badly and in Japanese)
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To: icwhatudo
Go back a about a decade earlier to Watermelon Man.

Godfrey Cambridge played a white guy in the first act.

Then he thinks he's having a dream about a great sunlamp.

40 posted on 03/08/2008 7:13:13 PM PST by Calvin Locke
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