Mel Gibson axed from 'Hangover 2'

Los Angeles - Mel Gibson's planned cameo in The Hangover 2 has been cancelled.

Warner Bros. Pictures and director Todd Phillips said the embattled actor won't be appearing in the sequel to the popular ensemble comedy. Gibson's cameo role as a tattoo artist in the film was announced earlier this week.

Phillips said on Thursday that producers supported his decision to cast Gibson, who has been engaged in a high-profile custody battle with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva, but the decision "ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew".

The film is set to reunite Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha and Ed Helms, who starred in the 2009 summer blockbuster. The sequel is scheduled for release next year.