A storm of protest from various PC groups is enveloping hit comedy actioner Tropic Thunder.
Despite Robert Downey, Jr.‘s dead-impression of a method actor gone Fred Williamson, that’s not what the protests are about.
Orgs such as the Special Olympics and the American Association of People with Disabilities protested the movie-industry spoof at the LA premiere at Mann’s Chinese Theatre.
They’re taking umbrage with director-actor Ben Stiller‘s liberal use of the word "retard" to describe his character’s previous role as a mentally disabled character named "Simple Jack".
"As the old playground saying goes, pick on people your own size," said Timothy Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, who is calling for a boycott of Tropic Thunder along with the other groups.
"We’re sending a message that this hate speech is no longer acceptable."
Despite the controversy, "no changes or cuts to the film will be made" said DreamWorks spokesman Chip Sullivan.
