A laid-back, relaxing brunch in Bangkok, Thailand? Oh Stu...did Las Vegas not teach you anything...?

Back in 2009, Warner Bros. Pictures brought us one of the most original, in your face comedies of recent years, The Hangover. While its cast may not exactly have been what you would call A-list, the film had a number of positives that inevitably made it a success. However, for the film’s director, Todd Phillips, its success meant so much more. Once renowned and worshipped for his zany cult classic Old School, Phillips’ career had been on a downward spiral ever since. With two failed producer roles on critical flops, School for Scoundrels and All the King’s Men – the latter of which grossed just $7.2 million on a $50 million budget, despite its Pulitzer Prize winning plot – Phillips became a faded image of his once proud self, with many now condemning his future career. Fortunately for Phillips, The Hangover offered him the redemption that he so desperately needed and, after final box office figures indicated a $277 million gross on an initial investment of just $35 million, Phillips was back on top.

Conversely, The Hangover turned a number of its stars into household names – just look at the success of Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, both of whom have had lead roles in The A-Team and Due Date respectively – but it was the film's accommodating and relatable premise, alongside its impressive cameo appearances, that truly cemented its success.

So, after the success of its 2009 predecessor, The Hangover 2 seemed inevitable. Although the film is displayed as in post-production on IMDb and is rumoured to be arriving on 30th May – Memorial Day for my transatlantic brethren – very little is known and even less has been released. Despite constant rumours as to the confirmed cast, location and the scenario in which it is set, Warner Bros. appear determined to keep its audience in the dark, a sagacious marketing tool if ever I heard one.

However, after all the secrecy and closed-curtain rumours, The Hangover Part II teaser trailer has finally been released and boy, does it look good. In it, we see the foursome travelling to Bangkok, Thailand for Stu’s wedding, with the groomsmen doing their utmost to avoid the fiasco they experienced in Las Vegas. Unfortunately for Stu things soon get out of hand – going from a relaxed brunch to a debaucherous debacle – and, thanks to hilarious cameos from Bill Clinton and Liam Neeson, The Hangover Part II is sure to be a worthy sequel to its 2009 predecessor.

While I personally cannot wait for this film – one that is sure to be amongst the biggest of 2011 – I must admit that I am disappointed not to see either Mike Tyson’s tiger or the flamboyant stripper Jade, played by Heather Graham.  To me, Stu marrying a stripper would have been like the 21st century Pretty Woman, but I’m sure his fiancée (Jamie Chung) will be an exciting addition to the cast.

See also:

Hangover 3: the Wolfpack is coming back

The Hangover II Review

Warner Bros leaks tonnes of new Hangover 2 material

10 memorable comedy movie scenes

10 Las Vegas Films That Will Make Your Next Visit Look Terrific

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