It seems that Mel Gibson’s image rehabilitation has been put on hold, as director Todd Phillips has confirmed that he has been dropped from the role he had been assigned in the next Hangover. The cast of the movie, including Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zack Galifianakis and Justin Bartha, were apparently “outraged” when it was revealed he’d be part of the movie because of his violent and racially charged threats towards his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.
“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,” said Galifianakis to Comedy Death Ray Radio earlier; inside sources said, “It was not only Zack who complained, it was the other members of the ensemble cast and many of the crew, who were outraged that Mel would be part of their comedy considering his current problems. They felt he would damage the movie. Mel’s tattoo artist character will now be played by another actor.”
“I thought Mel would have been great in the movie, and I had the full backing of [Warner Bros president] Jeff Robinov and his team, said director Todd Phillips. But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew.”
Source: New York Post
