Tropic Thunder' meeting called productive; Talks ongoing

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Earlier

post here: Disability rights group prepares for boycott, protests

A meeting yesterday between representatives of DreamWorks Pictures and those

of national disability rights organizations ended on a positive note, with

plans for advocates to screen “Tropic Thunder” and reconvene with

studio executives by phone within the next few days.

“We all walked away feeling that it was a very productive

meeting,” said Chip Sullivan, head of publicity for DreamWorks .

DreamWorks chief executive Stacey Snider attended the

meeting, which was convened in response to concerns from disability rights

groups over the prominent use of the word “retard” in the

film’s marketing materials and script. Special Olympics chairman

Tim Shriver also weighed in by telephone.

Participants reportedly discussed a wide range of possible actions that the

studio might consider taking in response to those concerns, many of which were

listed here.

Earlier this week, the studio pulled an elaborate marketing website called

simplejackmovie.com, in what Variety described as a “preemptive” response to

the criticism.

The R-rated film itself still reportedly includes many repetitions of the

word “retard,” as well as a scene that ends with one actor

character ( Downey Jr.) advising another (Ben Stiller) to “never go full retard.” Stiller’s character of

Simple Jack in a movie within the movie (above, in a DreamWorks promotional

image) was described in marketing materials as a “retard.”

Also earlier this week, national disability rights advocacy organization The

Arc of the United States advised its state and chapter leaders to prepare for “massive” action, including

boycotts and protests against the studio depending on the resolution of the

dispute.

The film premieres next Monday, August 11, in Westwood, California, at the

Village and Bruin theaters. Expected on the red carpet are actors Stiller,

Downey, and Jack Black.

(DreamWorks promotional image)