Mel Gibson’s ‘Hangover 2’ Replacement: Liam Neeson

Producers wasted no time filling the role they just asked hot-head actor Mel Gibson to step away from just 24 hours ago in the upcoming comedy The Hangover 2 and the new face is…Liam Neeson!

A day after The Hangover 2‘s producers gave in to cast and crew’s pleas and axed Mel Gibson’s appearance in the long-awaited sequel, confirmation has arrived that Liam Neeson will replace the actor.

Neeson gives credit to The Hangover 2 headliner Bradley Cooper [who also starred alongside Neeson in the recent box office hit The A-Team] for extending the invitation to appear in a cameo as a Bangkok tattoo artist following Gibson’s sudden departure.

“I just got a call to do a one day shoot on The Hangover 2 as a tattooist in Thailand, and that’s all I know about it,” Neeson told Variety. “I just laughed my leg off when I saw The Hangover. I was shooting in Berlin earlier this year and rented it on the hotel TV.”

Neeson has already arrived in Los Angeles to start filming. The Hangover 2 is set to hit theaters May 26, 2011.