Bodog Beat

Tropic Thunder is already turning heads. (DreamWorks Image)

Tropic Thunder has been getting a lot of hype for Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of an Oscar-winning actor who dyes his skin black in order to play a black character, as well as Tom Cruise's cameo as a cussing, overweight nut job. However, now the film is getting some negative attention from angry disabled groups.

The movie's satirical subplot involves a fake movie entitled Simple Jack, in which Ben Stiller's character plays a handicapped man. In some viral marketing, DreamWorks released a fake Simple Jack movie poster, fake preview along with the pretty offensive tag line: "Once upon a time, there was a retard."

Spokesperson for the Special Olympics, Peter Wheeler says: "We are asking people not to go to the movie and hope to bring a consciousness to people about using derogatory words about this population. That will be the start of a nationwide protest. We will continue to be vocal about the destructive effect of this film."

Twenty-two advocate groups plan to protest the film, including the Los Angeles premiere today.

DreamWorks argues that Tropic Thunder is not making fun of the disabled, but rather Hollywood's portrayal of the disabled and the obnoxious, insufferable actors who play them.

A DreamWorks rep said that they will not make any cuts to the film and added, "Tropic Thunder is an R-rated comedy that satirizes Hollywood and its excesses, and makes its point by featuring inappropriate and over-the top characters in ridiculous situations. The film is in no way meant to disparage or harm the image of individuals with disabilities."

Will Tropic Thunder knock The Dark Knight off it's throne?