Mel Gibson's Hangover 2 cameo is cancelled
Phillips owns the franchise rights to The Hangover and has final say in what happens with the sequel. In an official statement from Warner Bros., the director made it clear that he wants to keep his cast and crew happy, and sided with them in the decision to cancel Mel Gibson's cameo. Here is what Todd Phillips had to say:
"I thought Mel would have been great in the movie and I had the full backing of Jeff Robinov and his team. But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew."
Some speculate that Zach Galifianakis was one of the ringleaders behind getting Mel Gibson removed from the set. Vulture reported on comments the comedian made while appearing on the Comedy Death-Ray Podcast, and they believed that Galifianakis was talking about the inclusion of Gibson in the sequel. Here are his comments:
"...A movie you're acting in, you don't have a lot of control - you just show up and vomit your lines out. I'm not the boss. I'm in a deep protest right now with a movie I'm working on, up in arms about something. But I can't get the guys to [listen] ... I'm not making any leeway. It has something to do with a movie I'm working on, yeah. I'll tell you about it later. It's very frustrating."
Mel Gibson was set to play a Bangkok tattoo artist. There is no word on whether the role will be recast, or if the scene involving his character will be completely omitted from the script.
The Hangover Part II was released May 26th, 2011 and stars Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, Jamie Chung, Paul Giamatti, Nick Cassavetes. The film is directed by Todd Phillips.
Comments (69)
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MrP
I hope the little fat hairy fella isn't disappearing up his own arse. Casting has f*ck all to do with him, he gets paid and is getting paid well because WE said we liked him in the first. Before that, never heard of him. Now he thinks he can decide who we will get to see in a film. You turn up and do your job and go home. It's not politics or the school yard. Get over yourself. Or you will be back too a wolf pack of one (dare I say funny but wasn't that stolen from Stiller in Mystery Men).
2 years agoby @mrpFlag
Pjwolsker
All i know is i really want to see the beaver with mel.. he needs something thatll put him back on the map and some positive attention
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Lol, yes, he should definitely get AA. I thought you were referring to what he said while intoxicated. Now AA works, and I'm all for it. Misunderstanding.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Josh
@narrator: Yes, alcoholics need help. That's why it's called a disease.
2 years agoby @shuabertFlag
Pjwolsker
@TheNarrator haha
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Lol. "Not that big of a dick".... so you're admitting you're a dick? Lol, just kidding. :P
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Pjwolsker
@TheNarrator yeah i just got carried away. im not that big of a dick ha. i already said my bad to @ejk1
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Pjwolsker, I'd just read the past comments, ergo why I removed my comment.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Josh, Gibson messed up, no doubt. And then he apologized. I'm sorry, but can we really come down hard on him for spurting those things out? Hell, have you never made a sexist, racist comment in your life? Have you ever repeatedly thought of someone in a stereotypical and demeaning way? Answer: Yes. I'm sure Mel has all the time, given the people he's worked with for many years.
He was drunk and some of those feelings came out. So yea, he has to own up for that. But professional help? I honestly do not believe in that. He doesn't need to be diagnosed, put on a couch, or shut out. He took the blame like a man, and I believe he's sorry for what he said. Does it mean those feeling aren't still there? No, I'm sure they are. But we all have dark secrets that we don't let out of the closet.
People make the biggest deals out of the smallest things because it makes themselves feel better. Truth is, we all say some pretty inappropriate stuff, especially under the influence. Difference is he's a star, and we're not. You say he shouldn't get special treatment because he's a high profile star. It's the opposite. He gets even more harassed since he is what he is. the man deserves a small break from Hollywood. On every film set he's on, there are numerous reports about how great of a guy he is. Even in his latest film; Edge of Darkness. I say lay off the guy, he's talented, but human. Unless you really are holier than thou.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Pjwolsker
Holy sh*t i already said my bad to @elk1 @TheNarrator!! we just got at it in a different article. i just got carried away ha
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
RojoDiablo
That sucks, I wanted to see Mel in it and now I'm not loving Z.G. as much either, great!
2 years agoby @rojodiabloFlag
Pjwolsker
Does anyone know if Ken Joung will be in the next one???
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Josh
@cyn-de-harven: You make all good points. I'm not trying to make excuses for Mike Tyson's actions.
I think, though, it's been made pretty clear that Zach Galifianakis was the most outspoken opponent of Gibson's being part of the project. He was contractually prohibited from coming right out and saying "I don't want to work with Mel Gibson", but he made it quite obvious without naming any names.
2 years agoby @shuabertFlag
Pjwolsker
But yo @Josh @TheREALsupes @ejk1 is all forgiven now? ha no hard feelings?
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Pjwolsker
I have a feeling this discussion is going to be about rape now instead of Mel
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Cyn
@Josh - sure he did his court-appointed 3 years. A lot of women will tell you that 3 years is nothing for raping a woman. And in the end, though he did his time, he's still a convicted rapist.
We are, of course, assuming that the reason Mel is out is because someone wanted him out. For all we know, that might not be the case.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Josh
@cyn-de-harven: You're right. I had a lot of issues with the first Hangover; I won't deny that. However, at least Mike Tyson did his time.
2 years agoby @shuabertFlag
Dan
@ejk1 Completely agreed.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
ejk1
I think Zach G is feeling like he can do this because his career is now moving into a bigger arena. The Hangover was a hit, and now with Due Date coming out soon, he's probably thinking that it's his moment now, and he doesn't want to share it with someone who has, for lack of a better term, disgraced himself. I do believe that Mel needs to seek counseling, and probably should before he does any movies. However, just like Tyson, and perhaps even more like Downey Jr., once Mel gets himself back together, Hollywood should welcome him with open arms. There aren't thatmany truly talented people in Hollywood. Mel is one of them. He acts, directs, and produces great movies. Mel deserves a chance, and hopefully will succeed once he gets it.
2 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Rudy
That's what he gets for making fun of my nationality.
2 years agoby @rudyFlag
felipe-11
Zack's a very cool dude, I doubt he had any problems with Mel being in it, he could have been talking about anything.
I like Mel, he's a great actor but I don't really give a damn about his cameo.
2 years agoby @felipe-11Flag
Cyn
@Josh - no, but I sure as hell wouldn't drop from a movie franchise that had a convicted rapist do a cameo in the first movie.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Cyn
he's just been replaced wh Liam Neeson.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Pjwolsker
I agree @brew1701 and @Todd89 Zach has been in one big movie.. the hangover.. how many has mel been in? Mad Max, The Lethal Weapons, Braveheart, and the ones hes directed.. the movie he did a year ago, Edge of Darkness was awesome i thought. i hoped things would get better for mel after that but then the phone calls/voicemails thing happened to him and now he has to start all over. i hope that movie jodie foster directed with mel in it about the beaver comes out soon. i heard it was actually good. he needs a break
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Josh
Good move. No other employer would knowingly hire someone so volatile. Why should Gibson get a pass just because he's high-profile? The man needs to clean up his act.
And to compare him to Christian Bale is pretty weak. Bale was out of line, for sure, but nowhere in his rambling did he make any sort of sexist, racist, or homophobic comments. There are certain things you say that you don't get to back down from. You have to own the words you say.
2 years agoby @shuabertFlag
brew1701
I think that this is really stupid, what did he do to galifinakis to piss him off? I'm not sure that he has earned that right to say who h works with and doesnt. Mel has that power, but from what I understand Mel Gibson is one of the best and most fun to work with, always joking with people, even on passion of christ to keep the mood on the set light on a dark movie. oh well, i'm sure mel will be back in other ways, it would have been funy to him in that tho....
2 years agoby @brew1701Flag
Mutant
An actor that doesn't like Mel... who cares if you like him or not you'll eventually wind up on a film with Mel in the end. Not all actors are nice.
I bet Zach ends up on a project not having a clue who's in the film until he meets the main actor. throws a fit and yells 'I refuse to work with that guy' and storms out.
As I said above, like them or not you'll still have to work with them, despite his feelings.
2 years agoby @zenderFlag
Pjwolsker
i heard robert downey jr totally called out zack and said he should get acting classes.. thats kinda funny
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
Pjwolsker
ha i wasnt playing cute, i was being serious. alright fine.. @ejlk1 @TheREALsupes truce? whiteflag? clean slate? come on, i think we have better things to do then fight on a website
2 years agoby @pjwolskerFlag
gandoff2169
BOOOOOOOOOO.... So they can put a convicted rapist on the origanal and be ok, couse he is a former boxing champ, but a gold digger says he abused her and tried to extort money, then he should be 86ed. I call that being a hypacrite. Everyone makes mistakes in their life. Some have did them in drucking stuipers. So Mel should be fogiven, and move on. If not, then the Black Ballinf of people in hollywood by the powers to be is real, and insert your own quib here for the ending.
2 years agoby @gandoff2169Flag