The Hangover Part II an exotic location. That's all I know". In January 2010, Phillips dismissed rumors that Zac Efron would join the cast of "The Hangover 2", though Ed Helms stated that Efron would be a welcomed addition, commenting, "I love that guy. He's actually really funny". In March 2010, Phillips denied reports that the film would take place in Mexico or Thailand stating, "I don't know. There's a lot of rumors. There was rumor also that it was going to Mexico or something and neither are true". Also by March, Galifianakis, Helms, Bradley Cooper, and Justin Bartha completed negotiations and signed deals
The Hangover Part III not sure who let the dogs out this time, but they should be made to pay." Richard Roeper of the "Chicago Sun-Times" wrote, "Director Todd Phillips delivers a film so different from the first two, I'm not even sure it's supposed to be a comedy." Christy Lemire of the Associated Press gave the film a positive review, writing, ""The Hangover Part III" runs a different sort of risk by going to darker and more dangerous places than its predecessors, both artistically and emotionally. It dares to alienate the very audience that made "The Hangover" the highest-grossing R-rated comedy of all