Mel Gibson's professional resurrection has suffered another setback after the troubled actor's mooted cameo in the sequel to The Hangover was cancelled following apparent protests from the some of the film's cast and crew.
It emerged this week that Gibson, 54, had been chosen to play a tattoo artist in director Todd Phillips's follow-up to the 2009 comedy blockbuster.
But Warner Bros Pictures and Phillips have now confirmed that he won't be appearing in The Hangover 2.
The director said yesterday that although the producers had been behind his decision to cast Gibson, the move "ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew".
Despite earning considerable critical acclaim for directing such films as The Passion of the Christ and Apocalypto, Gibson's off-screen antics have attracted more attention than his cinematic efforts over the last few years.
In 2006, when he was arrested for drink-driving, he told the police that "the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world" and addressed his arresting officer as "sugar tits". He later apologised for his "despicable" remarks, adding: "I have battled with the disease of alcoholism for all of my adult life and profoundly regret my horrific relapse."
Gibson's reputation took a further drubbing this year when audio recordings emerged in which he ranted at his estranged ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva. He was also dropped from the talent agency William Morris Endeavor in July.
Gibson, who returned to acting after more than five years away with the thriller Edge of Darkness, is next due to appear in The Beaver, directed by Jodie Foster.
Some had seen his Hangover 2 cameo as a chance for rehabilitation; Mike Tyson's bit-part in the original film was credited with improving his damaged reputation.
The new film, which is set to reunite Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ed Helms, is scheduled for release next year.
