Will It Happen? Everything We Know
Tropic Thunder 2 has been rumored for over a decade, but the original cast is talking about it more and more, and it could be close to development.
Tropic Thunder is one of the smartest and most controversial comedies of the 2000s, and a decade since its release Tropic Thunder 2 news is becoming more frequent. 2008's Topic Thunder, directed by Ben Stiller, follows a group of very different fictional actors on set while filming an epic Vietnam War movie — only to then become embroiled in an actual conflict. The characters are parodies of the stereotypical popular actors working in Hollywood. The fictional Tropic Thunder actors include action hero Tugg Speedman (Stiller), who is trying to be respected for his dramatic performances, Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.), an intense Australian method actor, and Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), a slapstick comedy actor with a drug addiction.
While almost all the cast have spoken about a Tropic Thunder 2 return, most interest stems from an unusual place — Tom Cruise. Arguably the most entertaining character in Tropic Thunder is Les Grossman (Tom Cruise), the terrifying and ill-tempered studio executive who answers to nobody. It's almost impossible to tell the character is played by Cruise without looking at the credits, as Cruise is caked in make-up, including a bald cap. Ever since Tropic Thunder's release, there have been rumblings about a Tugg Speedman spinoff movie or a Tropic Thunder sequel with Speedman front and center. Though there's still a way to go before any Tropic Thunder 2 release date, it's looking more and more likely whenever it comes up in conversation.
Tropic Thunder 2 Recent News
The most recent Tropic Thunder 2 news comes from Robert Downey Jr., who addresses his potential return to the sequel and reprising his role as Kirk Lazarus. On the red carpet for his new show, Downey's Dream Cars, available on Max, when asked if he would do Tropic Thunder 2, the actor responded, "Tom Cruise and I have not yet done a project together, and... That’s kind of a yes, and then we will figure out what the title is." Actors generally respond positively to any hypothetical project they're asked about on the red carpet. However, the question clearly brought some excitement out of Downey, and the actor obviously wants to work with Tom Cruise.
Les Grossman and Kirk Lazarus never actually shared any screen time in Tropic Thunder, so to see the two over-the-top characters on screen together in a Tropic Thunder sequel would deliver the one thing the original movie didn't. Kirk Lazarus was a controversial role for Robert Downey Jr., as his character Kirk Lazarus does blackface for the fictional Vietnam movie (but is introduced as a Caucasian character in Tropic Thunder — RDJ was playing a white actor donning blackface, not a Black American character, and the distinction is important). The whole joke was based on the fact that Kirk was so ignorant when it came to method acting, poking fun at Hollywood actors who do that sort of thing. It will be interesting to see which controversial move Kirk Lazarus will have made next to for a new acting endeavor in Tropic Thunder 2.
Is Tropic Thunder 2 Confirmed?
Unfortunately, Tropic Thunder 2 is not confirmed yet and there is currently no Tropic Thunder 2 release date. However, there's definitely movement when it comes to the project based on the original Tropic Thunder cast's comments. Tom Cruise mentioned in August 2022 that he wants to make a Les Grossman spinoff, and that was following years of rumors. The celebrated Mission: Impossible actor even revealed that he wants Christopher McQuarrie to direct the Tropic Thunder sequel. McQuarrie has directed Cruise in the three Mission: Impossible movies including the upcoming Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One, and he'll direct the follow-up too.
Tropic Thunder 2 Cast
As it's unconfirmed, there obviously isn't a cast Tropic Thunder 2 cast yet. However, based on some of the original cast's comments, it's easy to understand who is likely to return for the cast of a Tropic Thunder sequel. Firstly, Tom Cruise would likely be on board for Tropic Thunder 2. He wasn't at all adverse to the idea when asked about reprising his role for Tropic Thunder in May 2022, explaining, "I don't know. I did Les Grossman for the MTV Awards ... We'll have to see, that could be fun" (referring to his appearance at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards as Les Grossman alongside Jennifer Lopez)
It's likely that Robert Downey Jr. would return for the Tropic Thunder sequel cast too if the movie gets confirmed, especially if Tom Cruise were attached given his comments. According to LADbible, Matthew McConaughey has also discussed reprising his role as Rick "The Pecker" Peck, which would make sense if the sequel is Grossman-centric, as Rick is an agent who constantly locks horns with Grossman. In that respect, it would also make sense if Bill Hader returned for the Tropic Thunder 2 cast to reprise his role as Rob Slolom, who was Grossman's assistant and right-hand man.
Ben Stiller not only starred in the movie, but he also co-wrote and directed Tropic Thunder, so there'd clearly be a missing piece to Tropic Thunder 2 if he didn't return. Stiller hasn't been that vocal about a Tropic Thunder sequel, but Stiller did defend the Kirk Lazarus character in February 2023 (via NY Post). The actor explained, "I make no apologies for Tropic Thunder... It’s always been a controversial movie since when we opened. Proud of it and the work everyone did on it." However, Stiller is hesitant to make Dodgeball 2 based on the reception of Zoolander 2, and he could feel the same way about a Tropic Thunder sequel.
Tropic Thunder 2 Story
There hasn't been anything revealed about the Tropic Thunder 2 story, but Bill Hader did mention that the Tropic Thunder sequel screenplay has been completed (via MTV) and that there are some "really funny scenes." However, that was in 2011, and the story could have changed dozens of times in the time since. Anything about the Tropic Thunder 2 story is purely speculative, but given that it seemingly revolves around Les Grossman, the sequel will likely focus more on the inside-baseball goings-on in the movie industry.
Though there's nothing confirmed about the Tropic Thunder 2 story, it will likely be just as boundary-pushing as the original movie, otherwise, it won't be anywhere near as exciting. Justin Theroux, who has two small roles in the movie as a UH-1 Huey gunner and a DJ (though that scene was cut), explained why Tropic Thunder is so funny. The actor mentioned, "It doesn't seem that controversial to me because of who the jokes are aimed at. You know what I mean? It's aimed at a bunch of dumb actors. That remains funny to me" The Tropic Thunder 2 story will likely continue that very theme in a different way.
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