Back in the fall of 2008, when the cast and crew of “The Hangover” descended upon Las Vegas, the locals were hardly fazed. Bradley Cooper once reminisced about how they rode the elevator covered in tiger scratches and nobody even batted an eye. Fast forward to June 5, 2009, and the film about a wild bachelor party gone awry hit theaters, quickly becoming a quintessential Vegas flick. As we celebrate the 15th anniversary of this comedy classic, here are 15 things you might not know about it!
1. Inspired by a True Story Believe it or not, the outrageous plot was inspired by a real event. Producer Tripp Vinson had a blackout experience in Vegas where he woke up in a strip club with a hefty bill to pay. Not fun at the time, but it sure made a hilarious story!
2. The Iconic Suite The luxurious Caesars Palace suite the characters trashed doesn’t exist. It was actually a set built at Warner Bros. Studios in California.
3. Script Adjustments Caesars Palace only had one major request: change the scene where Alan buys drugs from their gift shop. So, the scene was moved to a liquor store instead.
4. Director’s Gambling Woes Director Todd Phillips developed a bit of a gambling problem while staying at Caesars Palace, losing $55,000 on his first night. Perhaps that’s why they allowed filming there!
5. Mike Tyson’s Hazy Memory Mike Tyson was not in the best shape while filming his scenes. He later admitted he was high on cocaine during the shoot. Meeting the cast at a party and not knowing who they were, Tyson’s involvement was a whirlwind of confusion.
“Somebody had told me something about a movie, but I wasn’t coherent as to what he was talking about,” Tyson told the Hollywood Reporter in 2013. “They made it sound like it was low-budget, not a serious movie.” Then he encountered Galifianakis and Justin Bartha, who played the missing groom, Doug, at Nick Cannon’s birthday party at Pure, the Caesars Palace nightclub now known as Omnia. Tyson had no idea who they were.
“They said, ‘We’re going to be shooting a movie with you in two weeks,’ ” Tyson recalled. “I didn’t even know. I said, ‘Really?’ And I started drinking with them. I was a little wasted at the time. I still didn’t understand the movie until like a week and a half later, when I was on set with these guys.”
During an interview with Yahoo Sports in 2012, Tyson said he was high when filming his scenes. “They had to know I was messed up,” he said of his co-stars. “I couldn’t talk. I had the cocaine talk.”
Later, when he was swarmed by a group of children asking him about the movie, the encounter made him want to get sober. “That changed everything for me, which I’m so appreciative,” Tyson told ABC News in 2012.
6. Tiger Tricks Four real tigers were trained for the movie, and an animatronic tiger created by the Jim Henson Creature Shop was used for certain scenes.
7. Fake Chapel Stu’s wedding at the Best Little Chapel? It was a façade built in a parking lot. But fear not, you can get married in a replica chapel at Madame Tussauds or opt for a “Hangover”-themed package at the Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel.
8. The Real Deal Madame Tussauds offers wedding packages in a replica of the Best Little Chapel, complete with wax figures of Phil and Alan. Prices range from $2,500 to $10,000.
9. Jade’s Apartment The complex where Jade lived was the Wild Wild West Gambling Hall, which was closed in 2022.
10. Unplanned Performance During a break, Cooper, Phillips, and Heather Graham saw Cirque du Soleil’s “Zumanity,” where Cooper ended up shirtless and rubbed down by the cast despite assurances they’d be left alone.
11. Mr. Chow’s Bold Scene Ken Jeong suggested his character Mr. Chow should be introduced naked rather than in underwear. This bold move was shot at Mandalay Bay Road and Giles Street, despite some grumbling from the local police.
12. Cinematic Homage The scene where the guys meet Chow in the desert mimics a famous meeting in “Casino,” complete with the reflection of a Mercedes in sunglasses. Both were filmed at Jean Dry Lake Bed.
13. The Mercedes The 1965 Mercedes-Benz 220SE wrecked in the film is on display at the Hollywood Cars Museum in Vegas, looking like it’s been mauled by a tiger.
14. Box Office Smash “The Hangover” grossed $277.3 million domestically, surpassing “Beverly Hills Cop” as the highest-grossing R-rated comedy at the time. It’s since been overtaken by “Deadpool” and “Deadpool 2.”
15. Cooper and Phillips: A Dynamic Duo Bradley Cooper and Todd Phillips first crossed paths during auditions for “Starsky & Hutch” in 2004, but their real bond formed during “The Hangover.” Together, they’ve worked on hits like “War Dogs,” “A Star Is Born,” and “Joker.” Cooper now boasts 12 Oscar nominations, while Phillips has three.
Here’s to 15 years of laughter, craziness, and unforgettable moments from “The Hangover”! Cheers! Viva Las Vegas! 🥂Discover the epitome of Las Vegas living with The Smith Team Las Vegas. We’re your trusted partners in finding the ideal residence that perfectly complements your Vegas lifestyle and allows you to craft unforgettable memories. Join us on this thrilling expedition towards your dream home! Contact us now, and together, we’ll transform Las Vegas into your cherished home sweet home.
