Mel Gibson axed from Hangover 2 cameo

Mel Gibson's pariah status in Hollywood has been confirmed after the troubled film star was axed from a cameo in the forthcoming comedy sequel, The Hangover 2, apparently because of a cast rebellion.

The affair suggests that, following films that make light of date rape, the final taboo in Hollywood comedy could well be Mel Gibson.

The original Hangover, about a stag party in Las Vegas that goes wrong, starred Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis and became the tenth highest grossing film at the box office worldwide in 2009.

Director Todd Phillips said he had intended to cast Gibson, who has become untouchable following a number of racist outbursts, in a cameo as a tattoo artist in the sequel, but did not have the full support of the film's employees.

"I thought Mel would have been great in the movie and I had the full backing of [Warner Bros president] Jeff Robinov and his team," he said.

"But I realise filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew."

Gibson was first caught out in 2006 after being arrested for drink driving. Police claimed he said: "Fucking Jews. The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world."

Then this year he was allegedly caught on tape by his estranged partner, Oksana Grigorieva, shouting at her: "You're an embarrassment to me.

"You look like a fucking pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of niggers, it will be your fault."

He is currently being investigated under suspicion of domestic abuse against Grigorieva, while she in turn is accused of using the tapes to extort money from Gibson. Neither has been charged. ·