What do you do when you have a huge multi-million dollar R-rated action comedy packed with some of Hollywood’s biggest stars that is opening in mid August a week after another R-rated comedy of high (pun intended) anticipation? Market the shit out of it via the internet and within media staples of pop culture.
After the appearances of Tropic Thunder’s three leading men (Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, and Jack Black) on American Idol and the MTV Movie Awards, one could make the argument that Dreamworks covered their viral bases for this movie by hitting a few key demographics within some very large tv audiences. But that wasn’t enough.
Rain Of Madness – a Mockumentary on the making of the fake movie of which Tropic Thunder, the real movie, shares its name. Still with me?
Tugg Speedman – Ben Stiller’s character’s name in Tropic Thunder
Simple Jack – a movie referenced within Tropic Thunder starring Tugg Speedman
Scorcher VI – a movie referenced within Tropic Thunder starring Tugg Speedman
Panda Relocation Foundation – Tugg Speedman’s favorite charity
The Peck Agency – Tugg Speedman’s talent agency
Kirk Lazarus – Robert Downey Jr.’s character’s name in Tropic Thunder
Satan’s Alley – a movie referenced within Tropic Thunder starring Kirk Lazarus
Make Pretty Skin Clinic – the clinic where Kirk Lazarus underwent skin pigment surgery (aka black face)
Jeff Portnoy – Jack Black’s character’s name in Tropic Thunder
Fatties: Fart 2 – a movie referenced within Tropic Thunder
Cody Keith Underwood – Danny McBride’s Character’s name in Tropic Thunder
Booty Sweat – the official energy drink of Brandon T. Jackson’s character, Alpa Chino. It has been mentioned on several blogs that the actual drink is for sale if one were interested in buying it. I believe you can get them at Hot Topics. There is a reference to it on Tropic Thunder’s official site but it lists it as coming soon.
UPDATE:
Simple Jack Site down
Tags: Tropic Thunder, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, Robert Downey Jr.
