Screenwriter Claims Copyright Infringement In ‘Hangover Part II’ Lawsuit

Bradley Cooper, Ken Jeong, Ed Helms and Zach Galifianakis in "The Hangover Part II" (photo: Warner Bros.)

The Warner Bros. comedy blockbuster “The Hangover Part II” has been hit with another lawsuit.

According to EW.com, a screenwriter Michael Alan Rubin has sued the studio and filmmakers over the film, claiming copyright infringement, defamation, fraud and other charges.

Rubin is claiming that the screenplay for the film copies his script, titled “Mickey and Kirin,” which details his wild personal experiences in Asia after his marriage to a Japanese woman fell apart during his honeymoon in 2008.

In the lawsuit, Rubin said “The Hangover Part II” is copied from his treatment of the script, and “from the real life incident of the Plaintiff, because the protagonist in ‘Hangover 2′ travels from the United States to an Asian country to marry his Asian girlfriend.”

In the movie, the characters in the original “Hangover” movie travel to Bangkok to celebrate the marriage of Stu (Ed Helms). But prior to the wedding, another blackout happens and the men attempt to find Stu’s future brother-in-law, who has gone missing.

EW said the lawsuit blames Rubin’s ex-wife, Tamayo Otsuki, for giving the filmmakers the story. He claims the filmmakers defamed him with the description of Stu, who married a prostitute in Las Vegas, and that he had sex with a transsexual prostitute while under the influence of drugs.

Rubin is representing himself in the case, EW said.

This is the third lawsuit resulting from “The Hangover Part II.”

A tattoo artist settled with the production out of court over claims that Stu’s tattoo in the film copied the design of Mike Tyson’s tattoo; and a stunt double for Helms in the film filed a suit against Warner Bros. claiming a car crash on the Bangkok set during filming left him with “likely permanent brain and physical injuries.”

The film, directed by Todd Phillips and also starring Bradley Cooper and Zach Galifianakis, grossed more than $581 at the box office worldwide during its theatrical run.