Tropic Thunder Ignites Controversy

Supporters and members of mental disability groups are protesting Ben Stiller's newest flick, Tropic Thunder, the Associated Press reports.

Organizations like the Special Olympics and the American Association of People with Disabilities protested the film across the street from its premiere Monday night at the Mann's Bruin Theatre. Holding up signs that said things like, "Call me by my name, not my label," protesters called for a ban of the movie.

Robert Downey, Jr., one of the movie's stars says that he thinks the movie is "open to interpretation and that's the great thing."

The groups are angered over scenes that frequently feature a derogatory term used to describe the mentally disabled. The movie's director and costar, Ben Stiller, plays an actor who is starring in a war movie, but who has previously played a role as a mentally disabled character named Simple Jack.

"When I heard about it, I felt really hurt inside," Special Olympics global messenger Dustin Plunkett said. "I cannot believe a writer could write something like that. It's not the way that we want to be portrayed. We have feelings. We don't like the word 'retard.' We are people."

As a result of the controversy, DreamWorks has pulled some promotional materials, including a Web site with a video containing the line, "Once there was a retard." Dreamworks spokesman Chip Sullivan claimed in a statement, however, "No changes or cuts to the film will be made."