Name the actor in this screenshot..

Basq

The black actor second from the front (behind Ben Stiller).

Anyone? No cheating!

Answer in spoiler tags below for those unaware and prepare to be shocked!

.. 'Iron Man' himself, Robert Downey Jr. :eek:

Basq

And just so this isn't a completely wasted thread.. here's the teaser trailer for the film in question - 'Tropic Thunder'.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-LM7DFPKFc

Sqaull20

Harold Perrineau, Mike from lost?

mike65

Whats the point of that?!

Mike.

Basq

mike65 wrote: »

Whats the point of that?!

Mike.

Point of what..?

Sqaull20 wrote: »

Harold Perrineau, Mike from lost?

You do realise I've included the answer

Karl Hungus

Yeah, supposedly the casting has already caused a bit of a ruccus. See here.

Looks like it's going to be a laugh, and I'd usually hate anything with Ben Stiller.

mike65

basquille wrote: »

Point of what..?

"Blacking up" I wuz going to say but now I've read that piece linked by Karl Hungus I get it. Though it looks like many won't.

Mike.

Good old Robert Downey Jr, 2008 is shaping up to be a good year for him.

I think a lot of people complaining about Downey's casting are missing the point. The film isn't poking fun at black actors but rather at how far some actors will go to get a role considered Oscar worthy. For those not following the film, Downey's character decides to "black up" as the role is deemed Oscar worthy.

The teaser is very good, the sight of Nolte with the rocket launcher is priceless, and the use of Creedence Clearwater's - Fortunate Son instantly sets the tone.

Lirange

I was going to say Paul Bettany or Rutger Hauer.

Karl Hungus

Deleted User wrote: »

Good old Robert Downey Jr, 2008 is shaping up to be a good year for him.

It's been a great few years for him tbh, Zodiac, A Skanner Darkly, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. He's been in some quality produce, that's for sure.

Karl Hungus

Karl Hungus wrote: »

It's been a great few years for him tbh, Zodiac, A Skanner Darkly, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang. He's been in some quality produce, that's for sure.

All great films, but this is really the first time in awhile where an entire film will rest on his ability. I love Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang and rewatch it religiously every few weeks but Val Kilmer is the real star. Zodiac is excellent, and a film which deserved at least a best film nomination but again Downey is far from front and center, same with A Scanner Darkly. Iron Man is the film that will make or break him as a leading man for the second time. Hopefully this time all his troubles are behind him as it would be a shame to see him become the next Tom Sizemore.

Sqaull20

basquille wrote: »

You do realise I've included the answer

lostexpectation

jack black looks like philip seymore hoffman,

L31mr0d

whats great is the PC brigade will give this movie so much free publicity that it will be an instant success... awesome.

BTW, why is it ok for black people to dress up as white people and satirise it but not ok for white people to satirise black people.

Riskymove

L31mr0d wrote: »

BTW, why is it ok for black people to dress up as white people and satirise it but not ok for white people to satirise black people.

Guilt

Wacker

L31mr0d wrote: »

BTW, why is it ok for black people to dress up as white people and satirise it but not ok for white people to satirise black people.

I'm going to dodge your question and instead put one to you, if you don't mind?
Why do you care? If, like me, you're okay with white guys playing black guys, and black guys playing white guys, then shouldn't that be the end of it? If other people don't feel that way, then that is their loss.
Besides, as this thread shows, it clearly is okay for white actors to play black characters. It is happening.

Pigman II

I was gonna guess Jack Black, but then I examined the photo further and realised Jack Black is too fat to be that guy.

lostexpectation

L31mr0d wrote: »

BTW, why is it ok for black people to dress up as white people and satirise it but not ok for white people to satirise black people.

when has that ever worked well

pickarooney

Pigman II wrote: »

I was gonna guess Jack Black, but then I examined the photo further and realised Jack Black is too fat to be that guy.

So fat people can't disguise themselves as thin people in the movies now either?

L31mr0d

Wacker wrote: »

Why do you care?

I care because the race card has been played enough. Also, if you read the article posted by Karl, it clearly isn't ok, Downey Jr accepts that this could well ruin him if it doesn't come across right, and frankly, being that it's a comedy, I don't see how they are going to get it right. Even if Downey Jr does an excellent job, he'll be seen for making people laugh at a black man, as a white man. The flipside is that they'll be so scared of saying anything that an actual black man would say for fear of stereotyping that his character will be pointless, and he'll simply play as a white man in makeup.