Did Zach Galifianakis Force Mel Gibson Out of 'The Hangover 2'?

By Zach Dionne Posted Oct 22nd 2010 01:03PM

Zach Galifianakis Behind Mel Gibson Losing 'Hangover 2' Cameo?

Days after Mel Gibson's cameo in 'The Hangover 2' was announced, news came that his role was dead due to the cast's discontent.

E! Online has now put two and two together and realized some recent comments from 'Hangover' treasure Zach Galifianakis may indicate that he was the angry party alluded to in previous reports regarding Gibson's cameo. Speaking on the Comedy Death-Ray podcast last week, Galifianakis said: "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."

Pressed for details, the 41-year-old laughmaster wouldn't identify 'The Hangover 2' or Mel Gibson by name, but added: "It has something to do with a movie I'm working on, yeah. I'll tell you about it later. It's very frustrating."

The only official comment so far on Gibson's dismissal came from director Todd Philips. "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," he said.

Gibson's cameo was nixed the day before he was set to begin shooting. TMZ reported early that Galifianakis was one of the most vocal protesters of Gibson's participation in the film, which was dubbed an ideal career comeback vehicle by many. TMZ's sources said, "Some of the production people became belatedly upset because they were getting so much crap from friends, so they began objecting ... There were other people in the cast and crew who were also making noise about walking off the set if Mel showed up."

A source close to Gibson told TMZ, "It's such hypocrisy. They cast a convicted rapist [Mike Tyson] but 86'd Mel." Meanwhile, media and readers have been speculating that Mel's career could be finished since a series of hateful audio rants leaked this summer. In July, 60 percent of PopEater fans voted there was "no way" Gibson could bounce back from his recorded tirade fiasco.

Gibson was reportedly set to play a tattoo artist. "It's a done deal," a source told Page Six at the time. "Filming is taking place on the Warner Bros. lot, where a Bangkok set has been built and Mel is expected to film his role in two weeks. Then the production moves to Thailand at the end of October."

Tags: Mel Gibson, The Hangover 2, Zach Galifianakis

Comments

(164)

Friday 22 October

By brainslug

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GO ZACH!!!!!! YOU ROCK!!!!!

By halfmoon

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You have the perfect moniker ! It seems limit your intelligent responses and let's us all know the "village idiot" once again has access to the internet !!!

By Lynn

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Zach does rock, But I still Love ya Mel!!!

By The Ant

Mel Gibson rules!!!! Who is this Zach anyway? Never heard of him. Looks like he is trying to nab Silent Bobs looks( it is not working for him)

Saturday 23 October

By a man

I think that Zach and the rest of the cast acted a little too immaturely. They have to remember that every time you point a finger at someone else there are three more fingers pointing right back at you (just look at your own hand).

Sunday 24 October

By georgie

Zach is a no talent jerk. He plays the same annoying role in every film. I am amazed that he didn't object to Mike Tyson in the first film. Mel will always have more talent in his pinky than Zach does in his big body.

By gjb

I'm sorry but I can't believe that this no-talent guy (Zach) with absolutely nothing going for him could have that much power. He can't act. He isn't funny. He is not good looking. I have seen him in two movies and was not impressed by him at all.

By Lita

... and yet he is obviously more successful and likely much better looking than you. Go figure.

By Fred Joachim

Ditto. You won't even know who Zack is in two years and Mel will be back on top.

By Chuck

I very much so, agree with you!! Of all - STUPID movies, why would they do that, to a good actor?! Personal life, is his own - but Mel Gibson, is a great actor!!!!

By Pete

Isnt it funny how they judge actors today...I also cannot stand the sight of this no talent blowhard Zach...i cant 4 the life of me understand how he gets the credit he does....He does NOTHING to make me laugh...in fact i get highly annoyed when his face show up on screen!

By katie

gjb ,I agree totally

By RD

Mel Gibson will be around long after Zach is gone and forgotten.

By MYSTI

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ANYONE WHO CAN'T SEE THE TAPES WERE CONTRIVED IS OUT OF THEIR MIND AND NEED THAT PSYCHIATRIST...NOT THE ONES WHO COULD SEE IT FOR WHAT IT WAS...EXTORTION FROM A ONE-NIGHT STAND THAT HAPPEN TO RESULT IN A PREGNANCY...SHE WANTED A MEAL TICKET...AND THAT IS WHAT SHE GOT...BUT, AT WHAT EXPENSE...HER DIGNITY...SHE IS SO OBVIOUS..JUST THE TAPES ALONE SHOW SHE IS LYING...WHAT EMOTION, MAYBE SHE SHOULD GO FOR ACTING..SHE WOULD BE ACCEPTED AMONG THE TERRIBLE ACTORS NOWADAYS...WHAT A SHAME THEY ARE EVEN CALLED ACTORS

By gobig444

Anyone supporting Mel at this point needs to have their freakin' head examined...

By thinkfreedom

It's nice there are still saints like you to tell everybody else how bad they are. However, I have noticed you saints seem to have a lot of skeletons you are trying to hide.

By Jean

Well, I guess you better start examining my head! I am totally against abuse, but let's face it~~~That whole situation was soooo one sided that it really ticked me off!!! If she had been telling him off or yelling back it would have been a much more natural response. She just set him up and now Hollywood wants to end a terrific career. I will support him to my dying breath!

By Carla

Not that I'm in support of Mel, but Charlie Sheen has done as bad in his time, and people just shake their heads, playfully wag their fingers, "Oh, that Charlie... what WILL he do next?" like he's some 1930s "scalawag". He's not being frozen out... Why is it okay for one man to act this way and not every man? (It's not okay, by the way, for ANY man OR woman, just wondering why some get away with their crap and some don't.)

By Robert

Why? what has he done to you? he is still a good actor and he has the right to say what he wants, at least he didn't break the law like Tyson did. I will not watch Hangover 2 because they dropped Mel.

By jg

Why does Zach not have a problem working with CONVICTED RAPIST and wife beater Mike Tyson? I bet he would jump at a chance to be in a movie produced by WANTED pedophile Roman Polanski, or child molester Woody allen!

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