Like many rated-R raunchy comedies, Todd Phillips’ Hangover wasn’t immune to controversies upon its release. Released back in 2009, The Hangover opened to rave reviews, kickstarting the most successful rated-R comedy franchise of all time, and further launching Bradley Cooper to stardom.
However, there were times in the production process when crew members felt they might be going too far, especially with the scene involving a baby, even though it was a doll. And while some were concerned about some jokes crossing boundaries, Phillips didn’t budge and stuck to his guns.
One Joke in the Hangover Stirred a Major Debate Behind the Scenes
Per Todd Phillips, things were polarizing on sets when it came to filming a scene of the baby getting hit in the face by the car door. Even though it was a doll, many in the crew felt that it was a step too far and wouldn’t sit with the audience. However, the Joker director was unfazed by it, as he found it extremely funny. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Ed Helms, who played Stu, said, “That was a big debate on set”.
“Things were polarizing, like when you hit the baby in the face — even though it’s a doll. We hit the baby with the car door, and that bothers a lot of people. Then you have to decide: ‘Are we going to leave that in?’ Because it also makes The Hangover audacious. We leave the baby in the car, it’s 100 degrees, and he goes: ‘F– it, it’s fine. Crack the window.'” Phillips recalled.
And while the entire thing was funny to the acclaimed director, he did understand why many wouldn’t be too fond of it.
Todd Phillips Might Not Ever Return for a Part Four per Bradley Cooper
Considering Todd Phillips has parted ways with his comedic roots, garnering tremendous success with his psychological drama Joker, it’s reasonable why the chances of Hangover 4 are pretty slim. Even though Bradley Cooper expressed that he would return in an instant to work with Phillips on a fourth part, he too feels that the Joker: Folie à Deux director might not ever return to the IP. In The New Yorker Radio Hour podcast, Cooper said,
“Well, I would do Hangover 5. It would be Hangover 4 first, but yeah. I would do probably Hangover 4 in an instant, yeah, just because I love [director] Todd [Phillips], I love Zach [Galifianakis], I love Ed [Helms] so much. I probably would, yeah. I don’t think Todd’s ever going to do that.”
Even though a new entry set in today’s landscape would be enticing to witness, considering the threequel failed to match the bar set by its predecessors, maybe it’s for the best that the IP is left untouched.
The Hangover is available to rent on Apple TV.
