Poster from the movie-within-the-movie in "Tropic Thunder."From the NY Times August 8:
DreamWorks and Paramount executives have agreed to screen “Tropic Thunder” for members of disability-advocacy groups around the country. The executives also told representatives of several groups — including the Arc of the United States and the Special Olympics — that they were revising some advertising materials to change references to a developmentally disabled character, Simple Jack, who is played by Ben Stiller in a portion of the film. The groups had objected particularly to the repeated use of the word retard in the film and promotional materials. “We think that’s hate speech,” said Peter V. Berns, executive director of the Arc. Mr. Berns, who attended a meeting with film executives on August 6, said DreamWorks had agreed to confer with the groups by telephone after screenings that were to be set within the next two days. “It was a very productive meeting,” said Chip Sullivan, a DreamWorks spokesman. “Tropic Thunder,” which is directed by Mr. Stiller, is set to open August 13.
