For a moment it looked like embattled star Mel Gibson may have been making his way back into the limelight with a cameo role as a tattoo artist in the sequel to surprise box-office hit “The Hangover,” however it has been revealed the actor has lost the role.
“The Hangover” director, Todd Phillips said in a statement that he had indeed planned to cast the role of a tattoo artist to Gibson, but that has been revoked given that he didn’t have "the full support of my entire cast and crew". He added that Warner Brothers and himself thought that "Mel would have been great" in the role, but the issues raised from cast and crew overruled.
The decision to cut the role comes after tapes have been revealed which allegedly show Gibson, 54 threatening his ex-girlfriend. The shadow of his former racist and anti-Semitic remarks may have had an influence of the decision as well.
"I realize film-making is a collaborative effort and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew," Phillips commented in the statement.
Gibson is embroiled in a bitter public feud with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, both of whom are being investigated by Los Angeles police: Gibson for allegations of abuse, and Grigorieva over allegations she tried to extort money from Gibson in return for destroying ‘evidence’. Neither of the pair have been charged with anything yet.
Gibson has yet to make a comment on the axing from the cameo role.
