That’s right, you read the headline correctly, the Tyson inspired face tattoo that Ed Helms sports throughout HANGOVER 2 could be digitally removed for the DVD release in December.
When the film was due it’s theatrical release there were reports that a lawsuit had broken out between Warner Brothers and S. Victor Whitmill, the tattoo artist that designed and inked the original Tyson tattoo. Whitmill looked to first halt the cinema release of the film but it has been reported by THR that if the two parties involved have not settled the suit that Warners looks to remove the tattoo for the DVD.
Originally a trial had been set last August but Warners, feeling they would not be prepared enough, asked for a delay and now has been changed to February 21st 2012. A brief has been released stating Warners intentions:
If the parties are unable to resolve their dispute, Warner Bros. does not intend to make any use of the allegedly infringing tattoo after the film ends its run in theaters because Warner Bros. will digitally alter the film to substitute a different tattoo on Ed Helms’s face….The home video release is currently scheduled for early December 2011, which would allow Warner Bros. sufficient time to make the change if it becomes necessary.
But for those that have seen the film, how strange is it going to be if they remove the tattoo? Hopefully they will replace it as a large amount of the film would have to be cut when they reference Helms’ face. Maybe Warners will change the tat into something else, Tweety Bird has also been a popular tattoo choice. What do you think they should change it too?
