Stiller Defends Tropic Thunder

Ben tells MTV that his new film is not mocking disabled people

Tropic Thunder- the hilarious new film from Ben Stiller- has been criticised for its portrayal of the mentally disabled as its premiere takes place.

Groups protested outside the LA premiere today- attended by Tom Cruise, Jack Black and Stiller- because of scenes in the movie which send-up films like Forrest Gump and Rain Man.

Ben Stiller told MTV News It's sort of edgy territory, but we felt that as long as the focus was on the actors who were trying to do something to be taken seriously that's going too far or wrong, that was where the humor would come from."

The director added: "[The joke is on] actors reaching for roles in terms of hopefully winning awards."

Writer Etan Cohen also told us: "The last thing you want is for people to think you're making fun of the victims in this who are having their lives turned into fodder for people to win Oscars."

Spoof Tropic Thunder- which tells the story of movie stars lost in the jungle- comes out tomorrow in the US and next month in Britain.

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