Ludacris recently appeared on the popular YouTube series “Hot Ones,” where celebrities answer questions while eating increasingly spicy chicken wings. Amidst the heat, host Sean Evans posed a question that the rapper and actor admitted he’d never been asked before, and it revolved around a truly iconic movie moment: the use of his 2004 hit single “Get Back” in the 2008 action-comedy “Tropic Thunder,” specifically for Tom Cruise’s outrageously funny dance scene.
Evans inquired whether Ben Stiller, the star, director, and co-writer of “Tropic Thunder,” had personally sought Ludacris’s permission to use “Get Back” for that memorable end-credits dance sequence featuring Tom Cruise in his unforgettable Les Grossman character.
Ludacris was genuinely taken aback by the question, responding with enthusiasm, “Yo, I don’t think anyone’s ever asked me that, that’s a great question.” Between bites of fiery wings, he revealed the respectful and personal approach Stiller took.
According to Ludacris, Stiller did much more than just seek approval. He invited Ludacris and his management team to a private screening of “Tropic Thunder” before its official release. “Not only did he seek approval, respectfully, he invited us to watch the movie before it came out and it was literally just me, him and my management and we watched the whole movie,” Ludacris explained. It was at the end of this private viewing that Stiller formally asked, “Is it OK to clear this?” To which Ludacris responded with an immediate and resounding, “Absolutely.”
Ludacris, a Grammy Award-winning artist and a prominent figure in the “Fast & Furious” film franchise, confessed that he was already a huge admirer of Ben Stiller’s work. The invitation to a private screening, regardless of the song request, was a thrill for him. “I was more — I was such a Ben Stiller fan that I was more happy that he invited me personally to come watch the movie before it came out.”
“Tropic Thunder” is a satirical action comedy that features Stiller, Jack Black, and Robert Downey Jr. as actors filming a war movie who inadvertently find themselves in a real combat situation. Tom Cruise, in a surprising and hilarious supporting role, plays Les Grossman, a studio executive. While Grossman makes his presence known throughout the film, it’s his scene during the end credits that truly became legendary.
The scene unfolds during the fictional Oscar night within the movie’s universe. Stiller’s character, Tugg Speedman, wins the Best Actor award. Grossman, watching from his office, erupts in a celebratory dance to “Get Back.” He dims the lights, cranks up the volume, and unleashes a series of wildly energetic and comical dance moves, perfectly capturing the over-the-top, aggressive persona of Les Grossman. This unexpected and wildly entertaining dance sequence cemented itself as one of the most memorable movie moments of the 2000s.
Fast X movie poster, Ludacris known for his role in the Fast and Furious franchise
Ludacris’s revelation on “Hot Ones” provides a charming behind-the-scenes glimpse into how this iconic dance scene came to be, highlighting the respect and collaboration between filmmakers and musicians in Hollywood. It also underscores the enduring appeal of the “Tropic Thunder” dance, a moment that continues to entertain and surprise audiences years after the film’s release.
