Just three days after word leaked out that Mel Gibson would enjoy a cameo in "The Hangover 2" as a tattoo artist in Thailand, the troubled actor has been told his services will not be needed after members of the production rebelled.

In a statement released Thursday by Warner Bros. and producing partner Legendary Pictures, the backers of "Hangover 2" said that director Todd Phillips had decided that the "Braveheart" star wouldn't be appearing in the sequel to last year's comedy blockbuster.

“I thought Mel would have been great in the movie and I had the full backing of Jeff Robinov and his team," Phillips said in a statement, referring to the Warner Bros. production chief. "But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew.”

Gibson has been missing from the movies since audio recordings apparently capturing his violent and racist rants against ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva surfaced this summer. In one of the recorded calls, Gibson apparently says, "You look like a ... pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of ..., it will be your fault."

Gibson also is said to have threatened her, saying "I am going to come and burn the ... house down," adding, "but you will [perform oral sex on] me first."

Four years ago, when Gibson was arrested for driving under the influence, he unleashed an anti-Semitic tirade against the police.

"Hangover 2" would have been the actor's first movie since "The Beaver," a Jodie Foster-directed comic drama that has been sitting on the shelf and has no announced release date.

-- John Horn

Photo: Mel Gibson: Credit: Charles Platiau/Reuters