As explained by People , the 2008 satirical comedy film featured Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus, a White Australian method actor who underwent “pigmentation alteration” surgery to play Staff Sergeant Lincoln Osiris, a Black character, complete in blackface .

Tropic Thunder star and director Ben Stiller has confirmed what many movie fans have long believed: there's no way that the hit 2008 comedy could have

Robert Downey Jr.’s Tropic Thunder character is a big reason the film probably couldn’t get made today, according to director, co-writer and star Ben Stiller. “Obviously, in this environment, edgier comedy is just harder to do,