'Hangover' Cast Sinks Mel Gibson's Career for Good

By Rob Shuter Posted Oct 25th 2010 03:06PM

We all know Mel Gibson is "furious" with producers of 'The Hangover 2' for canning him after the cool kids in the cast, particularly Zach Galifianakis, objected and essentially vetoed his participation. But what is making Mel so mad these days is that he knows the lighthearted cameo was going to be his opening salvo at a legitimate comeback.

An industry insider tells me that Mel "desperately wanted" the role, which he believed would have been a scene-stealer. "It was the perfect part for Mel," my source adds. "Guaranteed to be a blockbuster," even with his sullied name attached.

"Mel saw this role that same way Tom Cruise did with 'Tropic Thunder.' Now it's ruined."

What must be particularly goading to Mel is that he lost the part to Liam Neeson because of a cast and crew revolt. Director Todd Phillips confirmed this on Thursday, saying his casting of Mel "did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew."

In a statement on Friday, Neeson's spokesman, who also reportedly represents Gibson, confirmed this belief by nudging that Neeson would be joining the actors on the set "pending clearance of cast and crew background check."

"Now that these guys have stood up and said no to working with Mel, anyone that stays silent will look like a coward," one executive tells me. "These are not huge stars. Yes, Bradley Cooper is doing well, but he's no Brad Pitt or George Clooney. Zach, someone with limited Hollywood power, has opened the floodgates. By making a stand, he has made it impossible for anyone else not to. Making what small chance Mel had of achieving a comeback impossible."

Silent to more, Zach's rep has just told NBC News that he has "no say in who is hired or fired for any roles in the film" and that he was not consulted on the matter.

See RadarOnline.com creator and executive vice president David Perel talk Mel Gibson's dead 'Hangover' cameo -- and Charlie Sheen's big meltdown -- with PopEater:

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Tags: mel gibson, the hangover 2

Comments

(52)

Monday 25 October

By midnight

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MEL IS A HERO!!! use your imagination for the rest. DON'T GIVE UP, MEL

Tuesday 26 October

By jill

personally I think Mel has had a lucky escape, its a sequel and they are always terrible no matter whos in them. That said i will not go to see this movie, would have if Mel was in it but not now. Mel Gibson is an amazing actor, who cares about his personal life, why not get one of your own instead?

By john doe

ROFL what about all the Mad Max x3 & Lethal Weapon x 4

By wanda sweeny

I will now go to see the movie. With Gibson in it, I would have not gone to see it, or would have bought the movie. Last year for Christmas I bought 4 copies of Hangover to give as gifts.

By Israel_Forever

If you Love Mel Pray he gets inpatient treatment for his medical illness ( sell admitted) Alcoholism !

Mel can and does make his own films....He's ill not bad...I was Hooked at the 1st Mad Max...Get well soon Mel...We Love you

By Joe

So Mel is good enough for award winning Jody Foster but not Zach?
So Mike Tyson is good enough for Zach but not Mel?
Did he talk to Robert Downey Jr (when he was making their movie) about when no-one was willing to hire RDjr, only one person stuck his neck out for him. And that would have been Mel.
Nice place Hollywood.

By jerry

hangover cast is uptight douch bags......let him in the movie like those guys are perfect little angels ....gibson aint convicted he didnt kill noone....im not gonna watch that movie i loved the last one.....i wont pay good money to douches

By William

Everyone is so quick to cast judgement and fail to realize that society has a huge double standard in civility issues involving men and women. His loud,obscene phone conversation was deplorable, yet it was obvious his girlfriend's intention was to tape him at his worst. How do we know if she isn't as bad or worse when she's not recorded. I agree a Hangover sequel with Mel in a cameo spot would be a riot and worth seeing. However,shame on the cast for their hipocracy (i.e Mike Tyson?) Mel doesn't need the Hangover.

Wednesday 27 October

By Marilyn Smith

OMG!!!! Give Mel a break!! Who are these four nobody's anyway? Never heard of them before...and still don't know who they are, and don't care to. I guess it's ok to have a convicted rapist like Mike Tyson in their movie...but Mel isn't good enough..get real people!! Mel..quit falling into that gold diggers trap and move on...she's a nobody too!!

Thursday 28 October

By Emma

None of the actors in hangover 2 will even be remembered in ten yrs. but Mel will always be great.

Saturday 13 November

By Mikki

I just want to see Bradley Cooper in a movie that I hope is funny. I don't care about Mel & all his drama.

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