Directed by:
Ben StillerCinematography:
John TollComposer:
Theodore ShapiroCast:
Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black, Jay Baruchel, Brandon T. Jackson, Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Steve Coogan, Matthew McConaughey, Tom Cruise (more)Plots(1)
Ben Stiller's satirical look at Hollywood, Tropic Thunder concerns the production of an epic Vietnam War film that quickly derails thanks to the giant egos of everyone involved in the production. Stiller stars as Tugg Speedman, an action hero trying to segue out of that genre. Jack Black plays Jeff Portnoy, a drug-addicted fat comic also attempting to change his image by taking on such a serious film. They star alongside Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), one of the world's most awarded actors, and a man who insists on immersing himself totally in a role. In this case, that means Lazarus has had his skin dyed in order to portray an African-American soldier. After their outrageous behavior lands the film's director, Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan), in very hot water with producer Les Grossman (Tom Cruise), Cockburn takes the advice of grizzled Vietnam vet Four Leaf Tayback (Nick Nolte); in order to gain control of his performers, Cockburn drops the actors off in the jungle, planning to film the movie guerrilla-style with hidden cameras. When the group stumbles upon a heroin production camp, the actors are unaware that they are in very real danger. (Paramount Pictures)
(more)Cast
Ben Stiller
USA
Best movies:
Empire of the Sun (1987)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Madagascar (2005)
Robert Downey Jr.
USA
Best movies:
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Oppenheimer (2023)
Jack Black
USA
Best movies:
Enemy of the State (1998)
Ice Age (2002)
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Jay Baruchel
Canada
Best movies:
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Almost Famous (2000)
Nick Nolte
USA
Best movies:
Warrior (2011)
Hotel Rwanda (2004)
U Turn (1997)
Danny McBride
USA
Best movies:
Despicable Me (2010)
The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)
Up in the Air (2009)
Steve Coogan
UK
Best movies:
Hot Fuzz (2007)
What Maisie Knew (2012)
24 Hour Party People (2002)
Matthew McConaughey
USA
Best movies:
The Gentlemen (2019)
Interstellar (2014)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Tom Cruise
USA
Best movies:
Rain Man (1988)
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Bill Hader
USA
Best movies:
Inside Out (2015)
Star Trek into Darkness (2013)
Her (2013)
Reggie Lee
Philippines
Best movies:
The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Star Trek (2009)
Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011)
Christine Taylor
USA
Best movies:
Dedication (2007)
The First Time (2012)
Denial (1998)
Mini Anden
Sweden
Best movies:
Prime (2005)
The Proposal (2009)
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Valerie Azlynn
USA
Best movies:
Constantine (2005)
Remember Sunday (2013) (TV movie)
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Tobey Maguire
USA
Best movies:
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) - a.f.
The Cider House Rules (1999)
Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021)
Jason Collett
Best movies:
Tropic Thunder (2008)
The Idea of You (2024)
Mickey Rooney
USA
Best movies:
Captains Courageous (1937)
A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935)
Strike Up the Band (1940)
Yvette Nicole Brown
USA
Best movies:
Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Inside Out 2 (2024)
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Jon Voight
USA
Best movies:
Heat (1995)
Enemy of the State (1998)
Coming Home (1978)