'Hangover 2' tattoo lawsuit over Mike Tyson-style ink is settled

The "Hangover" tattoo copyright dispute has been settled out of federal court, with the studio and tattoo artist both saving a little face regarding the Mike Tyson-inspired ink that's plastered on the face of the character played by Ed Helms in "The Hangover Part 2."

Warner Bros. and tattoo artist S. Victor Whitmill, who said he owned the copyright to Tyson's 2003 face-tat design, amicably resolved their dispute Monday, a studio spokesman said. He offered no further  details. Whitmill filed his federal lawsuit on April 28 in his current home state, Missouri.

The facial tattoo was cast in a key role in "The Hangover Part 2": Helms' character Stu, the dentist who lost a tooth in "The Hangover," wakes up freshly inked in a Bangkok bathtub in the sequel. The tatted Tyson appears in both films.

Whitmill's complaint alleging his art had been used without his permission failed to keep the film out of theaters, with a judge deciding two days before the May 26 opening date that the show could go on.

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Left photo: Mike Tyson in real life. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press

Right photo: Ed Helms in a poster for "The Hangover Part 2." Credit: Warner Bros.

 

Mike Tyson's face-tattoo artist sues over ink in 'The Hangover 2'

The artist behind Mike Tyson's famous facial tattoo sued Warner Bros. in federal court Thursday over the tattoo's design being replicated on Ed Helms' face in the upcoming film "The Hangover Part II."

Missouri artist  S. Victor Whitmill, who tattooed Tyson's face in Las Vegas in 2003, brought the suit in St. Louis court seeking to block Warner Bros. from using the tattoo in ads for the film, which is due out in late May. 

The suit alleges that Whitmill retained all the rights to the image, including the copyright, even though it was tattooed to the former boxer's face, the St. Louis Times reported. Whitmill currently works out of a studio in Waynesville, Mo.

In the R-rated film's trailer, Helms' character acquires the tattoo after a wild night of bachelor revelry with costars Bradley Cooper, Justin Bartha and Zach Galifianakis. Helms' character, who famously loses teeth in the first film, has to deal with the stamp on his face before his wedding day.

"When Mr. Whitmill created the Original Tattoo, Mr. Tyson agreed that Mr. Whitmill would own the artwork and thus, the copyright in the Original Tattoo," the complaint said. "Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. -- without attempting to contact Mr. Whitmill, obtain his permission, or credit his creation -- has copied Mr. Whitmill's Original Tattoo and placed it on the face of another actor ... This unauthorized exploitation of the Original Tattoo constitutes copyright infringement."

The ads have been ubiquitous and the appearance of the tattoo is a pivotal tease to a second cameo for Tyson despite his absence in the trailer.

Warner Bros. declined to comment on the lawsuit.

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-- Nardine Saad
twitter.com / NardineSaad

Photo: Left, Mike Tyson. Credit: Matt Sayles / Associated Press. Right, Ed Helms in the promotional poster for "The Hangover Part II." Credit: Warner Bros.

'The Hangover Part II' trailer: Ken Jeong invited to Ed Helms' bachelor party

"The Hangover Part II" trailer hit the interwebs this week, giving viewers a sampling of the plotline in the upcoming mysterio-comedy filmed largely in Thailand. The boys are back, which means trouble is not far behind.

The film's bachelor is Ed Helms' Stu, whose fiancee (Jamie Chung, not Heather Graham) asks him to take her little brother to enjoy the last-single-man-night festivities. And it's her brother who goes missing this time, not Doug (Justin Bartha), who is on hand for the mayhem along with Zach Galifianakis, Bradley Cooper and Ken Jeong (the infamous Mr. Chow of the first installment). Apparently, Jeong is Alan's (Galifianakis) plus-one in this adventure. A little monkey replaces the tiger and baby as the critter and cutie in the sequel.

For those concerned about the sequel living up to the original, you're not alone. Cooper is with you, and Helms says there won't be a three-quel.

Mike Tyson and Liam Neeson will also appear in the Todd Phillips film, which hits theaters May 26.

For full "Hangover" coverage, visit our sister movie blog 24 Frames.

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-- Nardine Saad
Twitter.com / NardineSaad 

Bill Clinton to make cameo appearance in 'The Hangover 2'

Somebody pass President Bill Clinton the aspirin -- he's making a cameo in "The Hangover 2."

The former POTUS was spotted in Thailand over the weekend with stars of the mega-grossing comedy, including Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, according to TMZ.

Extra security was added for Clinton's stint with the Todd Phillips-directed follow-up, the report says. Details are scarce on the context of his appearance, although People reports he'll play himself. (Safe bet, no?)

Clinton's cameo was well-timed. The production has been in Thailand for some time, and the president happened to be in Bangkok speaking about clean energy. 

Are you pumped for Clinton's appearance? Glad it's not Mel Gibson? Tell us your profanity-free thoughts in the comments section below.

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PREACH IT! In which Zach Galifianakis does our Mel Gibson preaching for us

-- Matt Donnelly
Twitter.com/MattDonnelly

Photo: President Clinton, a.k.a. Huge Trade-Up from Mel Gibson. Credit: Seth Wenig / Associated Press

PREACH IT! In which Zach Galifianakis does our Mel Gibson preaching for us

If we weren't Zach Galifianakis fans before, we sure are now.

For those of you who use the Internet only for chain letters and kitten videos, let us fill you in: Mel Gibson was supposed to be tapped for a comeback cameo in the upcoming sequel to "The Hangover." Director Todd Phillips had selected Gibson to play a tattoo artist living in Bangkok. Everything was set.

Until the rest of the production — the people who don't breathe the rarified air reserved for producers and directors — found out about the decision and pointed out the obvious. Which is that Gibson is kind of a bigoted, misogynistic vole of a human being who, maybe, should be in someone else's movie.

Now we hear that Gibson is being replaced with Liam Neeson. There's also a good indication of who led the vanguard against Gibson. And the clue comes via a certain star’s interview in a comedy podcast.

"I'm in a deep protest right now with a movie I'm working on, up in arms about something," Galifianakis said during a recent edition of Scott Aukerman’s Comedy Death-Ray. But I can't get the guys to [listen] ... I'm not making any leeway.

"It has something to do with a movie I'm working on, yeah. I'll tell you about it later. It's very frustrating."

That frustration apparently didn't last long. Phillips has since put out a statement confirming that he probably should have listened to his worker bees a little sooner, and now Gibson will have to find some other place to make his comeback.

Maybe Jodie Foster can find Gibson some additional work.

— Leslie Gornstein

Photo: Zach Galifianakis in "The Hangover." Credit: Frank Masi / Warner Bros.

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

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Report: Mel Gibson will have a cameo in 'Hangover 2'

Mel Gibson has signed up to appear in the sequel to "The Hangover," Page Six reports, though unlike Mike Tyson in the original film, he won't be portraying himself.

Nope, Mel has been cast as a Bangkok tattoo artist -- and though he's been accused lately of being many things, "Bangkok tattoo artist" still isn't one of them. The sequel sees the guys taking a trip to Thailand instead of Las Vegas.

Tyson rehabbed his damaged reputation with his comic turn in the 2009 blockbuster starring Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis. Of course, Tyson did say later that he'd taken the role because he needed drug money.

Hmmm. Whatever in the world could motivate Gibson to take such a gig? 

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Mel Gibson in January. Credit: Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times

Click and scroll down to get caught up on the Mel Gibson scandal.

 

Mike Tyson says he did 'The Hangover' for drug money

Mike Tyson was pitching himself to Jeremy Piven's Ari Gold as a costar for Jessica Simpson in a fictional "Brady Bunch" remake  on Sunday's episode of "Entourage" -- but when he showed up at ESPN Las Vegas' "Gridlock" radio show Thursday, he told a tale that might scandalize the likes of Mrs. Brady and her crew, according to SportsRadioInterviews.com.

Asked about doing "The Hangover," which starred Bradley Cooper, he revealed: "I was doing that to supply my drug habit. … I said, 'Wow, This is going to be really good. We’re going to sell this stuff on 42nd Street on bootleg and make a lot of money.' This is my best thinking on drugs. … It wasn’t that way. It was an international success."

Indeed, among other things, the film's success landed Tyson a seat near Paul McCartney for this year's Golden Globe Awards in January.

The former heavyweight champion has gone vegan and lost 130 pounds since ... 

VIDEO: Justin Bartha on the red carpet at the Golden Globes

Like just about everyone on the planet, Justin Bartha of "The Hangover" was surprised when his film received a Golden Globe nomination for best picture -- comedy or musical.

"I didn't know we would be at the Golden Globes when we were shooting it, but I'm thrilled to be here," he says.

And the film's chances? "It's possible, who knows? It's one of my favorite movies of the year."

But watch the actor get sassy when it comes to questions about his maybe-girlfriend, Ashley Olsen. "I have a bunch of lady friends here. They're all with me."

--Amy Kaufman and Denise Martin