'Tropic Thunder' boycott likely

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. advocates for the disabled plan to call for a boycott of the Ben Stiller comedy, "Tropic Thunder," The New York Times reported Sunday.

The big-budget film is a spoof of Hollywood that features over-the-top, "politically incorrect" dialogue and concepts -- including prominent use of the term "retard" in one off its subplots. Stiller -- who directed and co-wrote "Tropic Thunder" -- plays a fading action movie star whose resume includes a role as Simple Jack, a mentally retarded character.

Stiller's action-star character took the role of Simple Jack in an attempt to curry Oscar buzz.

Advocates for the disabled may call as early as Monday for a boycott of the Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks movie, The New York Times reported Sunday.

Timothy P. Shriver, chairman of the Special Olympics, told The New York Times he planned join with officials from his organization and others Monday to picket the movie's premiere in Los Angeles. He said he has asked members of Congress to consider a resolution condemning what he called the "hate speech" featured in the movie.

DreamWorks spokesman Chip Sullivan said in a statement that "Tropic Thunder" was not intended to hurt the disabled and that "no changes or cuts" will be made.