'Hangover 2' Director Explains Why Mel Gibson Was Fired

Director Todd Phillips admits he loved the idea of putting Gibson in the film -- but some cast members strongly disagreed

 

Michael Kovac/FilmMagic

Everyone seems to be chiming on in why they think Mel Gibson was axed from his Hangover 2 cameo, but only director Todd Phillips can give us the real story. Phillips says that he thought it was a great idea to have the troubled actor play a bit part in the sequel to the insanely popular comedy -- but apparently some very important people disagreed.

"He's one of our finest actors and, quite honestly, one of our finest directors," Phillips told Entertainment Tonight of Gibson. "But The Hangover 2 is a family ... and as much as I loved the idea, a lot of people didn't ... I didn't want anything to come in between that family."

Cast member Zach Galifianakis was reportedly more than a little disturbed by casting of Gibson, due to the actor's past with racist rants and questionable behavior. "I'm in a deep protest right now with a movie I'm working on, up in arms about something," the actor said in an interview. "But I can't get the guys to (listen) ... I'm not making any leeway... It's very frustrating."

In the end, Galifiankis -- and the others who objected -- were heard and Gibson's role of tattoo artist was given to Liam Neeson.

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