Liam Neeson's cameo in the upcoming Hangover sequel will remain on the cutting room floor.
In a last-minute recasting, Nick Cassavetes will take over Neeson's role as a Bangkok tattoo artist — a part originally envisioned for Mel Gibson.
Director Todd Phillips told Variety that the recasting was simply due to a scheduling conflict.
When Phillips decided to cut the scene that immediately followed Neeson's cameo and reshoots were needed, Neeson was already hard at work filming the sequel to Clash of the Titans.
"We were in a complete time crunch so I called up Nick and asked if he would do the part," Phillips said. "He came in and crushed it and that is the scene that you will ultimately see in the film. [I'm excited for everyone] to see the film. It turned out great."
Gibson was initially cast as a tattoo artist. He was then given the boot because all of the film's stars — including Bradley Cooper and Ed Helms — objected to the stunt casting, a source tells Us. Cooper then suggested Neeson, with whom he costarred in last summer's The A-Team.
The Hangover 2 hits theaters on May 26.
