Hangover sequel in doubt over Tyson tattoo

The release of The Hangover Part II, the follow up to the hugely successful 2009 film, is reportedly in doubt because of an argument over a tattoo.

That’s right, a tattoo. Not surprisingly, Mike Tyson is at the centre of the controversy, due to the fact that the instantly recognisable design on the side of his face is replicated on another of the characters in the film, Doctor Stu Price, played by Ed Helms.

In the sequel, which basically follows the exact same premise of the original except that it is based in Thailand rather than Las Vegas, Price wakes up with a tattoo on the side of his face, the exact same design that the softly spoken former heavyweight champion had permanently inked on his face in 2003.

The offending artwork on the character of Doctor Stu Price

The tattoo artist that inked the design, S. Victor Whitmill, has taken exception to the fact that his design has been copied, saying that Warner Brothers breached an agreement reached with Tyson over the famous artwork.

“When Mr. Whitmill created the ‘Original Tattoo’, Mr. Tyson agreed that Mr. Whitmill would own the artwork and thus, the copyright in the ‘Original Tattoo’,” states a legal complaint filed recently in a Missouri federal court.

“Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. - without attempting to contact Mr. Whitmill, obtain his permission, or credit his creation - has copied Mr. Whitmill's ‘Original Tattoo’ and placed it on the face of another actor...This unauthorized exploitation of the ‘Original Tattoo’ constitutes copyright infringement,” says the lawsuit.

The film is due to be released in cinemas at the end of the month, but the bizarre injunction sought by Whitmill may cause a delay that will dismay fans of the film worldwide.

Warner Brothers have so far declined to comment on the matter, but will be eager to avoid sort of costly pay-out demanded in a similar injunction before the release of the highly disappointing flick Dukes Of Hazzard in 2005.