From correspondents in London, England, 01:00 PM IST

Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. was so keen to work with Jack Back and Ben Stiller in 'Tropic Thunder' that he was willing to have his reputation 'destroyed' by playing an African-American in the film.

Contactmusic.com reports that Downey Jr. has courted controversy for playing an actor who dyes his skin dark in the film, but admits the big risk was worth it. His desire to work with Stiller and Black kept him going.

He said: 'I felt like, `I want to work with Ben (Stiller) and Jack (Black), 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.

'Then we started doing make-up 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.'

(Staff Writer, © IANS)