'The Hangover Part III' To Be Different Says Phillips


During the press release for The Hangover Part II, director Todd Phillips revealed plans, er, ideas for a third movie and possible spinoffs.

The press conference for The Hangover Part II was today, so already the question of a third Hangover came up. Obviously this one will make money so we should expect the next one. Part II pretty much follows the template of the original, only international and deadlier. Director and co-writer Todd Phillips must know the rule of trilogies, because he’s planning to change it up for the finale.

“It’s certainly not in the same template that you’ve seen these movies,” Phillips said. “Obviously we always envisioned it as a trilogy as you can imagine. The third would be very much a finale and an ending. The most I could say about it, what’s in my head, and I haven’t discussed it with these actors, is that it is not following that template but very much a new idea.”

I don’t expect it to stop at III. You could always do spinoffs. “Listen, I love this world that we’ve created,” Phillips said. “I love every actor in these movies, even all the ones that aren’t here today as well. Who knows, we do a Mr. Chow movie, I haven’t talked to Ken [Jeong] about it but Chow is definitely a man of mystery much like Austin Powers. He obviously has a web that is woven deep in crime and women.”

It doesn’t even have to be connected to this set of characters. You could always throw new comedians into more hangover situations. “Yeah, please tell that to these guys and their agents,” Phillips deflected. “No, I would not see spinning it off like that. I wouldn’t do that.”

With that, Ed Helms jumped in. “We’re just like the kids in the Vacation movies,” Helms said, making reference to the rotating cast of Griswold kids including Anthony Michael Hall and Juliette Lewis in different entries.

The Hangover series has already gone from Las Vegas to Bangkok, so Phillips reiterated his joke about where a third one could be set. “As far as where it takes place, I said I’m very open, like the Olympic committee, to being pitched and presented cities, flown around with wine and women and bribed,” Phillips said. “Then I will make my decision.”

The Hangover Part II opens May 26.

Thanks to Screen Junkies for the story.