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The original was posted on /r/todayilearned by /u/tyrion2024 on 2024-05-08 03:57:29.

Original Title: TIL Ben Stiller developed the premise for Tropic Thunder while shooting Empire of the Sun. He wanted to make a film based on the actors he knew who became “self-important” & appeared to believe they had been part of a real military unit after taking part in boot camps to prepare for war film roles.