Tropic Thunder Hits Marine Base

Tropic Thunder stars, Ben Stiller, Jack Black and Robert Downey, Jr., arrived at Marine Base Camp Pendleton Sunday evening, as they prepared for a special screening of their film, Tropic Thunder.

The actors arrived at the base, just north of San Diego, after boarding a chopper from Burbank, reported USA Today. The promotional move was a fitting one, putting the actors in a situation much like the one that is portrayed in the film.

"I'm hoping the fact that I might puke right now is actually going to have the reverse effect, and that I'll suddenly be steady and calm by being in a helicopter," Downey confessed as he prepared to board the chopper.

After touching down near the base, the stars were transported from the airstrip in armored Humvees, reported USA Today. Sgt. Clay Kirk, the driver of one of the vehicles, used to supervise prisoners of war when he served as a field military police officer in Iraq. Stiller, along with Downey and Black, was required to wear a military helmet and flak jacket for the drive. "This is crazy," he said. "It's nice to be out of the norm, though."

According to USA Today, the actors were greeted at the base by a crowd of service members, husbands, wives and children, all of whom were fans of at least one of the trio. Stiller was repeatedly asked for his "Blue Steel" look, made famous in Zoolander, but according to Downey, it was Black who "won the day."

The actor, who is also half of comedic metal band Tenacious D, was extremely popular among the crowd, signing band posters and DVDs. Even Stiller, who made a cameo in the band's movie, Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny, was asked to sign the DVD.

Perhaps it was this opportunity to be "out of the norm" that allowed the world-famous celebrities to unwind and really engage their fans. Downey, at one point, even traded his pork-pie hat that he wore to the screening, for a pair of sunglasses that a Marine had thrown to him on stage.

"We're really happy to be here," Stiller told the crowd. "And thank you for everything you do protecting our country."