Highlights
- Schindler's List star Liam Neeson will replace Mel Gibson as the tattoo artist in Hangover 2.
Gibson was dropped by Warner Bros from the sequel after some actors and studio executive objected to his name.
The former A-lister has been attracting bad publicity for his rants against ex-lover Oksana Grigorieva, who has accused his of assault
star Liam Neeson will replace Mel Gibson as the tattoo artist in
Hangover 2.
Gibson was dropped by Warner Bros from the sequel after some actors and studio executive objected to his name.
The former A-lister has been attracting bad publicity for his rants against ex-lover Oksana Grigorieva, who has accused his of assault.
Neeson's role was suggested to the movie bosses by Bradley Cooper, who starred with him in
The A-Team. The role of tattoo artist is said to be pivotal to the film. While the original movie revolved around a Las Vegas bachelor party that devolves into a drunken lost weekend, the follow-up is about a misbegotten trip to Bangkok, Thailand.
The tattoo artist is one of the characters the guys need to track down during their adventures. The character is described as "crazy" and "intense," "someone you're afraid to talk to," the Hollywood Reporter said.
Actors Bradley Cooper, Zack Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha are reprising their roles in the sequel.
It is not clear whether the role will be toned down to incorporate the sensibilities of Neeson, who is known for his serious roles.
Gibson's casting had triggered an internal backlash at the studio and on the film set, which forced the studio to look for a new face.