The 2008 comedy Tropic Thunder has drawn some retroactive backlash in recent years, particularly in regards to Robert Downey Jr.'s character. In the Ben Stiller-directed film, RDJ plays Kirk Lazarus, a method actor who had his skin darkened to play a different Black character. Increased controversy over the use of "Blackface" in movies and TV shows has led to speculation that Tropic Thunder wouldn't be able to be released today.

There was also a monologue in Tropic Thunder delivered by RDJ that would later spark backlash. At one point, he advises that an actor should "never go full [R-word]" if they want to win an Oscar. He adds, "You don’t buy that? Ask Sean Penn, 2001, I Am Sam. Remember, went full [R-word]? Went home empty-handed.”

This is in reference to Penn's nomination for Best Actor at the Academy Awards for his portrayal of the lead character in I Am Sam. Prior to the movie's release, however, Ben Stiller had personally called Penn to let him know about the I Am Sam reference. In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, director Jessie Nelson explains that neither she nor Penn felt offended by the joke, understanding that once something is put out there in the world, it's fair game to be satirized.

“Ben had called Sean to warn him and tell him,” Nelson said. “I understand the cynicism of ‘Oh, if you do a movie about a disabled character, you’re gonna win an Academy Award.’ But in truth, how many movies are actually about the disabled community? There are so few. But yeah, people are allowed to razz it and make fun of it however they want. Once you do a movie, you’re kind of out in the world.”

Jessie Nelson, who says she wouldn't make I Am Sam today unless she could use an actor from the disability community, is happy with the progress that's been made for performers with disabilities. She's still proud of Penn's work in the film, noting that he told her it's the movie he gets praise from fans more than any other in public. But of how far Hollywood has come compared to 20 years ago, Nelson says "thank God there's been change."

One example of this progress is the recent Oscar buzz surrounding the Apple TV+ film CODA. Directed by Sian Heder, the movie stars deaf actors Marlee Matlin, Troy Kotsur, and Daniel Durant. Marvel also introduced Lauren Ridloff as the first deaf superhero in a Marvel movie with the recent release of Eternals. Anita Hollander, a one-legged actress and national chair of the SAG-AFTRA Performers With Disabilities Committee, has praised these efforts while suggesting there's still some work to be done.

“CODA was a great effort, but there needs to be much, much more,” says Hollander. “Marvel is finally getting the point and doing more with disabled actors — the deaf community is doing better than the mobility disabilities or blind actors. One out of four people in this country identifies as having a disability, so you no longer can say there’s no money in doing it — look at the audience you’ll get when you actually hire a disabled actor. I would like to think that that boulder is reaching higher up on the mountain, but I have to tell you, it’s been a lot of work.”

If you want to revisit I Am Sam, you can find the movie currently streaming on Netflix.