Hangover 2 Director: Mel Gibson Would Have Disrupted Film's 'Family'

By Sara Hammel

Tuesday October 26, 2010 02:35 PM EDT

Mel Gibson

Dominique Charriau/WireImage

• Facebook
• Tweet

Mel Gibson's proposed cameo in The Hangover 2 wasn't meant to be, according to director Todd Phillips. But his abrupt departure from the project isn't any one person's fault, either.

"The Hangover 2 is a family ... and as much as I loved the idea, a lot of people didn't," Phillips told Entertainment Tonight of his cast and crew. "I didn't want anything to come in between that family."

Shortly after news of Gibson's cameo as a Bangkok tattoo artist emerged, Phillips announced the appearance was canceled – and Liam Neeson quickly replaced Gibson in the role.

RELATED: Liam Neeson Replaces Mel Gibson for Hangover 2 Cameo

There was also speculation that star Zach Galifianakis was leading the call for Gibson's role cancelation after the comedian gave an interview to a comedy podcast suggesting there were problems on the Hangover 2 set.

Phillips, however, was careful to add that he still respects Gibson's talent.

"He's one of our finest actors and, quite honestly, one of our finest directors," Phillips says.

See what other readers have to say about this story – or leave a comment of your own