Liam Neeson has replaced Mel Gibson in The Hangover 2, after the latter was blackballed by the Hangover cast in the fallout from Pack of N-Words Gate. To be fair, if he didn’t want to get blackballed, he probably shouldn’t have dressed like that. Neeson will play the role of “deranged tattoo artist” originally slated for Gibson, which makes sense, because Neeson brings a similar level of gravitas, and considering his recent movie choices, he’d probably lick the floor of a peep show if you gave him five bucks and told him you were filming it.
Director Todd Phillips recently spoke about Gibson’s firing to our buddy awkward Josh over at MTV, saying he was surprised by the cast and the public’s “lack of empathy”. Mel figures it’s probably just something they learned from the wetbacks.
“I was surprised in some way by the reaction, because I think in some way we have, especially in Hollywood, empathy for people who have struggled with alcoholism.”
“We just had a long talk about it, I explained it,” Phillips said. “He certainly understood, you know. He wasn’t happy, but he certainly wasn’t upset, I mean, it just was kind of a bummer because I think he understood the intention of the casting and the role.”
Phillips told MTV that despite the actor change-up, the role has remained completely the same because Gibson was never intended to play a version of himself the way Mike Tyson did in the first “Hangover” film.
“It was very different. [Gibson] was coming in to add a little bit of weight to the situation that unfolds in Bangkok, so we just needed an actor that brings weight. I think Mel and Liam, and there are probably four other guys in that age range that sort of bring that gravitas,” he said.
That interview is after the jump, along with some “spoilery” pictures from The Hangover 2. In any case, this certainly marks the first time in history an Irishman was hired for being the least racist.
[pics via TMZ. Take from them what you will.]
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Liam Neeson has a very particular set of skills.
Mel Gibson was happy to step aside because at least the job wasn’t going to some wetback.
OH! There’s always a BIGGER fish! That totally makes sense now. So, we’re cool now, right Ahmad?
[Gibson] was coming in to add a little bit of weight to the situation that unfolds in Bangkok, so we just needed an actor that brings weight.
By that logic, Gabourey Sidibe is the most serious actor of her generation.
Mick, Phillips wanted some weight, not the blotting out of the sun which triggers another ice age.
Is this a bad time to tell Phillips that Liam Neeson hates Asians?
An Irish guy gets the job because he ISN’T the alcoholic? What’s next- cats and dogs become friends, salmon swim downstream, Gweneth Paltrow not being a dumb cunt all the time? It is a topsy turvy world we live in.
[Dons Orangemen garb, grabs molotov]
Ay! Ye poot some Mary kissin’ soutie what speeks pour ah de King’s church in yahr moofy, an’ I swear uhl burn yer shite ‘ouse to da fackin’ grouwn!
Anyone else find it ironic that the most famous drunk in the world is getting pushed out of a movie called THE HANGOVER?
This is what’s wrong with Hollywood. They hold themselves to no apparent moral constant; one man’s crime is damnable, another forgivable. Never mind the fact rape is arguably more serious than making racist comments, it’s all about what is politically correct right now. Tyson paid for his crimes, Gibson did not. The whole town is steeped in mounds of illegal drug use and prostitution. Children unfortunate to become “stars” are so regularly destroyed by the experience that it has become a laughable cliche. But forget all that, what really annoys me is the money they spend. Millions of dollars to get jackass-of-the-week to make with the funny lines while enjoying a free vacation. Meanwhile, there are schools and hospitals in AMERICA that can’t function for want of a few hundred thousand dollars. It just doesn’t make any damn sense. And now this. How much money is being spent on Neeson, and for merely a cameo? David Carradine’s been hanging around Bangkok for a while now and they don’t even think to call him.
Ya, because nobody has ever gotten drunk and furious at their mate and said incredibly stupid things. Hypocrite twats.
Twas TidyLittleSum what sed: Is this a bad time to tell Phillips that Liam Neeson hates Asians?
He hates Polish people, too. I heard an interview where he said he wished ‘skis and slopes never existed.
My usual hangover role is lying in bed, staring at the cieling, yelling at the kids to “SHUT THE FUCK UP AND MAKE SOME TOAST!”
inkyPee,
I have it on good authority that he tolerates them when in the company of a good German. Helmut Kohl, for example.
…shit…
@Stinky
I feel like I somehow assisted in that brilliant and tasteless joke. And that makes me feel proud.
Speaking of drunks, Phillips makes a hell of a screwdriver.
Galifinakis: I hate substance abusing actors who can’t stay out of trouble. I refuse to work with them.
Phillips: Hey, Zack. Meet your costar Robert Downey Jr.
Galifinakis: Yeeeeeeeeesh….awkward.
Mick, Phillips wanted some weight, not the blotting out of the sun which triggers another ice age.
But if Phillips hires Sidibe, at least Ray Romano and Denis Leary will have a job again.
Also, I resent the implication that the Irish are all weapons-grade alcoholics and racists.
*looks at avatar*
When’s this half-a-wop gonna post a new up?
I resent that it is implied also. Any learned person knows that it is a given.
Gabourey Sidibe has one hell of a hang over roll.
fat chicks are gross
This is the biggest fuck you to Gibson. He was replaced by Oskar Schindler himself.
The Mighty Feklahr knows of an apartment in Frisco that adds gravitas to bangin’ cock every Wednesday night…
Spiderman wants to release in the Kraken.
You know, because Liam Neeson is a comedic figure who will surely get laughs with all the controversy brewing around him… I mean, his wife did die. And her tits looked stupid.
My guess is the rest of the cast was afraid they were just gonna smile and blow him in his scenes.