Ben Stiller’s portrayal of a mentally handicapped man in new movie Tropic Thunder has provoked anger from disability groups.

Stiller’s character, an actor, takes on the role of Simple Jack in the movie, who is referred to in marketing material as a “retard”.

The description and portrayal prompted a number of organizations to protest to bosses at studio DreamWorks – who have now agreed to meet in person with representatives of the disability groups.

Anne Sommers, from the American Association of People with Disabilities, tells the New York Times, “We want to be really plain about what our issues are with the movie.”

In its defense, DreamWorks executives insist the movie intends to mock the film industry and not disabled people.

Source

WENN

Actor-turned-director Ben Stiller is convinced no one can help Owen Wilson overcome his personal problems – because it is hard to understand his emotional anguish.

Wilson was hospitalized last year after allegedly slashing his wrists at his home in Santa Monica, California.

And Stiller, a close friend of the funnyman, admits that his pal is battling depression – and it is hard for his family and friends to empathise with what he is going through.

He says, “It’s impossible to understand that kind of pain – depression or anything like that – until you’re in it. I love Owen. I felt bad that he had to deal with all the outside bulls**t.”

Source

WENN

A fictional energy drink that features in Ben Stiller’s next movie Tropial Thunder is being turned into a real product.

Booty Sweat pops up throughout the comedy, which is due to be released on August 15th.

Now Paramount Pictures want to cash in, by producing it and marketing it alongside the movie.

Michael Corcoran, president of consumer products at Paramount Pictures, “Not to my knowledge has this ever been done before. We’re very excited, because it has the potential to live for quite a while, well beyond the film.”

Source

WENN

I have been obsessed with Cameron Crowe since Say Anything.  Lloyd Dobbler was quite possibly my first crush.  I still love John Cutesack…no matter what crappy movie he’s in.  Cameron Crowe went on to create some of my all-time favorite movies, including Singles (probably my favorite Cameron Crowe movie), Jerry Maguire and Almost Famous.  So when I heard that he has a new movie coming out (afer a long hiatus…his last movie was 2005′s Elizabethtown, which unfortunately sucked) I was so excited!

Ben Stiller and Reese Witherspoon are starring in Cameron Crowe’s as-yet untitled romantic comedy adventure for Columbia Pictures.

Crowe will direct from his own screenplay and is producing along with Scott Rudin. The plot is being kept under wraps.

Columbia beat out four rival studios in a bidding war over the fully-developed project, which is scheduled to start shooting in January, once Stiller and Witherspoon’s schedules open up. Stiller next will be seen later this summer in Tropic Thunder, which he also co-wrote, produced and directed, and he is shooting Night at the Museum 2: Escape From the Smithsonian. Witherspoon’s upcoming projects include Four Christmases, with Vince Vaughn, and she is voicing characters for DreamWorks Animation’s Monsters vs. Aliens.

Variety

WENN

A galaxy of comedians including Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Chris Rock have teamed up to raise money for autism on Sunday night.

The funnymen took the stage at New York’s Beacon Theater for a Night Of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert For Autism Education, hosted by U.S. TV host Jon Stewart.

The show, which was broadcast live on American cable network Comedy Central, also featured Matthew Broderick, Susan Sarandon, Tina Fey, Sarah Silverman, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler and chat show host Conan O’Brien.

Broderick said, “It’s fun to be here. I’m a fan of 94 per cent of the performers. I’m always a little nervous. I hope it goes well.”

The last autism special, which took place in 2006, raised almost $3 million (GBP1.5 million).

Source

WENN