“The Hangover 3 is the ultimate backward engineering,” says its director Todd Phillips. Hip-Hop Wired got some interesting and sometimes rap-related intel about the creation of the latest (and allegedly last) film from the comedy franchise via its stars and behind the scenes players.
While in Las Vegas, we got some insight from actors Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and even Ken Jeong aka Mr. Chow. We also got word from Phillips that a certain Detroit rapper inspired the name of one of the film’s new characters. Also, did you know Alan (Galifianakis) is a big time Hip-Hop fan?
The Hangover Part III is in theaters today (May 23). But before you check out the film, get a look at 7 Interesting Things To Know About The Hangover Part III on the following pages.
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Photos: Warner Bros.
Eminem Names A Character
John Goodman’s character’s name is Marshall. Go back to the first film and his name really does get mentioned. Thank a Slim.
“He’s named Marshall because I was listening Eminem at the moment, while I was writing that. Never did we think that would become [a future character.]
“When we were talking about the third movie and we were looking for a villain, suddenly we just remembered this name Marshall is just out there,” added screenwriter Craig Mazin. “This great real estate that we are the only two people talking about. It’s just so fun to be able to dig it up from the first movie.”
“Hip-Hop Alan”
“We talked about this new Hip-Hop Alan,” revealed director Todd Phillips. “Alan gets easily influenced by anything. So the backstory to that was they just got BET in his house. There was a version where he had the baseball hat sideways—like the worst look—he was going to be Hip-Hop Alan. He lost the hat but it’s still the attitude.”
He added, “Alan is always five years behind the curve. So he’s doing things from 2005. So he’s like , ‘I got a sick sense of humor, brah,’ but it’s so lame.”
Mr. Chow Say F Your Stereotypes
“Every Asian actor has to read, and has read a role, and has performed a role that required an accent,” said Ken Jeong, who is a doctor in real life. “That’s the business you guys set up for us. That’s just the way it’s done. And that’s fine, but to me, it’s my job to make fun of that stereotype. We get ridiculous lines that we audition for all the time; “Asian Guy No. 2,” Asian Assassin No. 3. It’s demeaning.
“Chow to me, was my response to that. Making fun of that stereotype. When Alan’s falling out of the car, I go [in Mr. Chow’s voice] ‘Ha ha, funny guy, fat guy fall down, funny.’ Here’s a guy who is mocking the Asian stereotype mocking why people laugh at the fat guy falling down in movies. There is levels upon levels of meta humor.”
Get it? Jeong continued, “Chow in comedy terms is a meta joke. You’re commenting on a comedy. You’re commenting on my Long Duck Dong exists [Sixteen Candles]. You’re commention on why Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Mickey Rooney’s character exists. Chow to me was my meta response to all that.”
The Hangover III Is More Deadlier, And Cuddlier?
Bodies get dropped in this sequel, literally and figuratively.
“The third one it does have a body count, but I think it’s balanced with this emotional thing too where you see some heart strings pulled. That equals it out. The second one is jokes, high intensity, perversion, danger. Here there’s a little bit of softness to it; along with a body count,” said Zach Galifianakis.
Las Vegas, Again
Going back to where the “fun” began was always in the cards.
“It had to end where it all began,” said Phillips. “It had to end in S1n City because ultimately the movie is about these guys paying for the sins of their past. Paying for the bad decisions in Hangover 1 and 2, and they finally come back to haunt them. And they have to settle that score.”
The Roofies On Fire
Roofies are part of the Hangover series. But like most of humanity, the cast didn’t think there was anything funny about Rick Ross’ controversial “U.O.E.N.O.” lyrics.
“That’s the most objectionable awful thing to do,” said Ed Helms. “Plus, we did it to ourselves [in the movies].”
The Grand Finale
The franchise has been a money maker, so is this really the end?
“Warner Bros., before the movie even came out, they wanted to do a second one. Before I was even finished editing it,” said Bradley Cooper.
“We thought two was going to be it,” added Ed Helms.
Phillips even deaded the idea of a Mr. Chow spin off flick. “We love the Chow character [but] we’re not going to do any more of these,” he said.
We don’t believe him.
