BEN STILLER - STILLER SCREENS NEW FILM FOR DISABILITY GROUPS

STILLER SCREENS NEW FILM FOR DISABILITY GROUPS

LATEST: Actor BEN STILLER has agreed to screen his new movie TROPIC THUNDER for disability-advocacy groups, after sparking outrage for his portrayal of a mentally handicapped man in the film.
Stiller's character, an actor, takes on the role of Simple Jack in the movie, who is referred to in marketing material as a "retard".
The term prompted organisations to protest to bosses at studio DreamWorks earlier this week (begs04Aug08).
Executives responded by setting up meetings to discuss revisions in portions of the film, including promotional materials and language the activists called "hate speech".
A spokesperson for DreamWorks adds: "It was a very productive meeting."
The company is scheduled to host the screenings of the newly-revised film with members of the advocacy groups before its release in the U.S. on Wednesday (13Aug08).