Robert Downey Jr. Turns To Comedy

"Iron Man" Star Takes On Controversial Role In "Tropic Thunder" In The Name Of Satire

(CBS)  You could say that actor Robert Downey Jr. has mastered the art of transformation.

With two blockbusters in one summer, "Iron Man" and "Tropic Thunder," the multifaceted actor has effortlessly turned to comedy and he's raising some eyebrows while doing it.

Downey sat down with Early Show co-anchor Harry Smith to discuss the buzz around his comedic role in "Tropic Thunder."

When Downey was approached by Ben Stiller, who produces and stars in "Tropic Thunder," he was a little bit shell shocked when he heard of his physical transformation.

However, in the name of satire, Downey took the bait and accepted the "controversial" role.

Downey plays Kirk Lazarus, "a quadrillion-time Oscar winner" who takes his roles seriously and undergoes a controversial procedure to color his skin to authenticate his role as an African-American army sergeant.

"I said, wait a minute. Hold on. This is the stupidest idea I've ever heard," Downey said. "He (Stiller) said, 'I know, isn't it great?' I thought, in the right context it could be entertaining or disastrous. There's that thing of the risk factor for any creative idea or any venture. The only difference being that I had a lot of goodwill from 'Iron Man' and I was just apprehensive to not squander it."

Despite his initial concerns about coming off a summer blockbuster hit and diving into controversy, he trusted Stiller's comedic judgment and direction of the role.

"That was my fear. My fear is going, 'oh, something is going to change that.' Look, you deal with sensitive topics whether you're in a comedic context or not. Nowadays it's just, you know, it's very, very, very convenient to pick things apart," Downey said.

Considering the role is "so outrageously politically incorrect," Downey said he felt as though it was doable based on past satirical films.

"I remember coming up watching comedies like this, things that were really off-kilter and really largely in poor taste but still made by people that we knew. There was something about the brand name of the people who were directing a story. We said, 'you know what, we know they have a moral psychology. We know they're essentially bright-minded people,'" he said.

There has been a mixed reaction to the movie, with some people taking offense to his role and the use of the word "retard" in the movie.

"My response to that -- it's interesting, because at different phases I can have different takes on it. One is like, well, isn't that the whole idea, the country is based on we can express this and that. It's all kind of business as usual. It's strange to me we're taking flack from a disabilities support group with all the other archetypes and stereotypes," Downey admitted. "Nothing is above satire, last I checked."

[mollydtt]

I thought Robert Downey, Jr. was amazing in this movie. And also, this movie outrageously politically incorrect. But it would not have been such a hit without Downey. I hope to see more comedy from him in the future.