Hang Over

Hollywood's been talking about how Mel Gibson's planned cameo as a Bangkok tattoo artist in Hangover 2 was dropped.  And it wasn't for financial or artistic reasons.

Director Todd Phillips was all for it, but when he didn't have the support of his "entire cast and crew" Gibson was out, soon replaced by Liam Neeson.

Since there aren't that many people central to the remake, it's generally believed cast member Zach Galifianakis, who implied as much in an interview, put the kibosh on Gibson.

Now it's true, Gibson's a big jerk.  He's said and done some awful stuff.  Some of it so ugly I can see refusing to work with him.  But I'm still a bit queasy when it comes to, in essence, blacklisting someone you don't approve of. There are plenty of names in Hollywood who have said and done horrible things. If you work with them, does this now mean you approve of everything they've done?

As many have noted, the first Hangover prominently features Mike Tyson, convicted rapist.  Who should be the arbiter (or ear-biter) who decides what's acceptable and what isn't?

I suppose in these matters you have to follow your conscience.  But when in doubt, perhaps tolerance is the way to go.