Vanilla Ice defends 'racist' jokes in new Adam Sandler comedy
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Version 0 of 1. After a dozen or so cast members walked off set last week, Vanilla Ice has come out in support of Adam Sandler’s new comedy western The Ridiculous Six. The film, Sandler’s first in a new deal with Netflix, has been the subject of controversy since it emerged that the script features derogatory depictions of Native Americans. In an interview with the showbiz website TMZ, Vanilla Ice, who plays Mark Twain in the film, has defended the film’s content. “It’s a comedy,” he said. “I don’t think anybody really had any ill feeling or any intent or anything. This movie isn’t Dances With Wolves. It’s a comedy. They’re not there to showcase anything about anybody – they’re just making a funny movie, I think. I don’t have anything to do with it. I just play my part.” Related: Can the recycled bigotry of Adam Sandler's Ridiculous Six do some good? The rapper and actor also added that he’s “part Choctaw”, so can see both sides of the issue. Last Wednesday, a group of Native American actors walked off set in protest at the film’s depiction of Apache culture, and jokes including character names such as Beaver’s Breath and No Bra. Director Frank Coraci, who also directed The Wedding Singer, claimed that any offence was unintentional. A video emerged on Friday of the meeting at which actors were told to leave if they were “overly sensitive” about the humour. One of the Navajo actors, Allison Young, said: “This is supposed to be a comedy that makes you laugh. A film like this should not make someone feel this way. Nothing has changed. We are still just Hollywood Indians.” Netflix issued a statement on Thursday, claiming that no one should feel disrespected. “The movie has ridiculous in the title for a reason: because it is ridiculous,” a spokesperson said. “It is a broad satire of Western movies and the stereotypes they popularised, featuring a diverse cast that is not only part of – but in on – the joke.” The film also stars Nick Nolte, Taylor Lautner, Luke Wilson and Steve Buscemi. It’s the first in Sandler’s four-picture deal with Netflix. |