The Internet has been abuzz this past week about a possible Mel Gibson cameo (as a tattoo artist) in the now filming Hangover 2.  Now Warner Brothers and Legendary Pictures have issued a statement that the beleaguered actor “will not be making a cameo appearance in “The Hangover Part II.” Director Todd Philips chimed in with the following: “I thought Mel would have been great in the movie and I had the full backing of Jeff Robinov and his team. But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew.” For more on Mel Gibson’s departure from the Hangover sequel hit the jump.

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It appears Mel Gibson’s removal from The Hangover 2 can perhaps be directly attributed to the leaked cameo news. According to THR, “news of the casting stunt triggered an internal backlash at the studio and on the film” forcing the filmmakers to withdraw their offer. This is a downright shame for fans of The Hangover and film fans in general. Say what you will of Mel Gibson as a person, but the man is a damn fine actor with an astute sense of comedic chops (watch any of the Lethal Weapon films for proof on said matter). For those who will cite Mel Gibson’s public indiscretions as reason enough to dismiss him, might I remind you of another notable film figure who, well, may not have been the nicest of people in real life: namely John Wayne.

Do I think John Wayne was a good person? I don’t know – never met the man. Do I approve of Mr. Wayne’s views on certain subject matters? Of course not. Will any of this personal related information hinder my enjoyment of Rio Bravo or Who Shot Liberty Valance or The Searchers? Do I really even need to answer this question? And the same precedent holds true of Mel Gibson – in front of or behind the camera.

The Hangover 2, a sequel to 2009’s hit The Hangover, reunites the entire cast as they travel out to Thailand. It’s unclear if there will be a replacement for Mel Gibson in the film or if the entire thing will just be scrapped. The film is currently scheduled for release Memorial Day, 2011.

Meanwhile the Jodie Foster directed Mel Gibson headlining The Beaver continues to sit on a shelf and Gibson’s Untitled Viking Movie lurks in development hell.