The first official Spider-Man of Hollywood, Tobey Maguire, is not only known for his great rapport with his childhood friend Leonardo DiCaprio but also for the projects the American actor has done. The Marvel star was a significant part of Ben Stiller-directed war drama Tropic Thunder. 

Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire in Spider-Man

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Not many people know that Tobey Maguire’s last-minute entry onto the project went on to save the multi-starrer Tropic Thunder back in 2008.

How Tobey Maguire Saved Ben Stiller Directed Tropic Thunder At The Last Minute?

Ben Stiller’s action comedy Tropic Thunder featured prominent Hollywood stars like Tom Cruise, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr., and Tobey Maguire. The movie went on to make a box office collection of $195.7 million against a budget of $92 million.

According to media outlet Yardbaker, Tobey Maguire played himself in Tropic Thunder. However, the character was introduced to the project at the last moment. The production required a last-minute replacement opposite Kirk Lazarus portrayed by Robert Downey Jr.

Tobey Maguire
Tobey Maguire and Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder

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Both Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Cruise were nominated for multiple accolades. However, Robert Downey Jr. lost to Heath Ledger’s performance as Joker in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. 

Robert Downey Jr. On Being Nominated For An Oscar For Ben Stiller Led Tropic Thunder

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2008, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., and Jack Black were present for the promotion of Tropic Thunder. Robert Downey Jr. was nominated for an Oscar, BAFTA, and SAG awards for his performance in Tropic Thunder. While talking about Ben Stiller’s project, Robert Downey Jr. said-

“I remember looking at this dude and going, ”You brought animal masks? You honestly think your, like, improv summer-stock idea is going to break it open for me? We’ve got money on the line. I’m not going to put on rabbit ears and figure out who’s king of the forest.”

tropic thunder 2008 hero 1
Robert Downey Jr. in Tropic Thunder

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On being asked about what was going on in his head, when he was offered the character of a Black soldier. He said-

“I felt like, I wanted to work with Ben and Jack, but my way into the movie is I’ve got to be tarred and feathered for three months and maybe have my reputation destroyed. That was my fear. And then we started doing makeup tests, and it was like Mr. Potato Face: “Can we take that wig off and put these teeth in? Now put this on. Now put that on.” But by the time we were finally in rehearsals, I knew I had it.”

With an IMDb rating of 7.1 out of 10, Tropic Thunder is currently available on Paramount+.

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