‘Hangover 2' Director Todd Phillips On why he fired Mel Gibson

Director Todd Phillips gave his reason on why he decided to axed Mel Gibson's appearance in the upcoming "The Hangover 2".

"He’s one of our finest actors and, quite honestly, one of our finest directors. 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.”

Mel's role as a tattoo artist will now go to Liam Neeson.

Quoting one line from The Godfather movie -- "don't ever take sides with anyone against the Family"!

[Photo courtesy by Craig Barritt/Getty Images]

Todd Phillips will helm "The Hangover 2" and "Due Date"

After the success of comedy flick "The Hangover" which raked in $210 million, Director Todd Phillips was given a two thumbs up signal for his next two comedy films which includes the road trip comedy "Due Date" and the sequel for "The Hangover".

The commitments come one day after "The Hangover" crossed the $210 million domestic gross mark and surpassed "Wedding Crashers" to become the second biggest grossing R-rated comedy ever.

Galifianakis will play one of the two leads in "Due Date," an Alan R. Cohen and Alan Freedland script that was revised by Adam Sztykiel. In the comedy about fatherhood, an expectant dad and his unlikely travel companion (Galifianakis) race cross-country in hopes of making it home for the birth of his first child. - Variety Reports.

Due Date will start production on October 6 for a June 2010 release and the sequel for Hangover will begin production in October 2010 for 2011 release.

Todd will now get more support in this two movies than he did with The Hangover. Definitely, a much deserve payday for him.

Lindsay Lohan declined a role in "The Hangover"

Lindsay Lohan's wrong decision kept her career in a limbo.

It will be a big career comeback for LiLo if she only agree to star in the summer hit The Hangover which is now raked in $205 million but she declined the role and deemed the screenplay as "no potential".

According to Us Weekly, When director Todd Phillips approached Lohan to star in the hit flick after their mutual agent campaigned on the actress’ behalf, Lindsay declined and said "she didn't like the script!"

The role of Jade who is a stripper landed to actress Heather Graham.

Another mistake. Opportunity gone to waste. Hmmm...

[photo courtesy of celeb utopia-gettyimages]