Galifianakis reprises breakout role in The Hangover Part 2

CEBU, Philippines - New comedy sensation Zach Galifianakis reprises his breakout role of Alan from the 2009 blockbuster “The Hangover” in Warner Bros.' highly anticipated sequel, “The Hangover Part II.”

A self-described “stay-at-home son,” Galifianakis’ Alan embodies what director Todd Phillips finds funny in male relationships. “Women have a much more elegant way in their relationships,” the director states. “But there’s an awkwardness to the way men behave that is exemplified in these movies by how left-footed Alan is around the guys.

The reality is that Alan’s best friends are probably his dad, his mom and his dog. He so badly wants human connection that he always overdoes it.”

Also reprising their roles from the original are Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms and Justin Bartha star in the film. Jeffrey Tambor, Ken Jeong and Mike Tyson also rejoin the cast.

In “The Hangover Part II,” Phil (Cooper), Stu (Helms), Alan (Galifianakis) and Doug (Bartha) travel to exotic Thailand for Stu’s wedding. After the unforgettable bachelor party in Las Vegas, Stu is taking no chances and has opted for a safe, subdued pre-wedding brunch.

However, things don’t always go as planned. What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens in Bangkok can’t even be imagined.

The dynamic between Phil and Alan that evolved in the first film is further explored in this one. “I think that’s my favorite part about this movie, because their relationship becomes really rich,” says Bradley Cooper. “In the first one, Zach and I improvised a lot of that, not always knowing if it would even play. But in this one, it’s built in already and we can take it even further. It’s like making a movie with your brothers. No one has to think too hard about the process; you just go with it. Our only real objective is that people will laugh their asses off.”

In “The Hangover Part II,” more of Alan’s sensibilities are exposed through Galifianakis’ singular comedic style. “The script was perfect, but it’s sometimes fun to not say the line you were supposed to say just to see if you can make someone laugh when they’re not supposed to. But Bradley and Ed are such pros, they’re hard to break,” Galifianakis smiles. “Todd’s sense of humor is not about telegraphing the joke necessarily, but letting jokes hit that you don’t expect. And I think all of us really like the unexpected.”

Galifianakis most recently starred in “Due Date” opposite Robert Downey Jr., and “Dinner for Schmucks” with Steve Carell and Paul Rudd. His additional film credits include the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced hit “G-Force”; the indie feature “Youth in Revolt,” with Michael Cera, Steve Buscemi and Ray Liotta; a cameo in Jason Reitman’s Oscar-nominated film “Up in the Air”; and the critically acclaimed true-life drama “Into the Wild,” from director Sean Penn.

Opening across the Philippines on June 8, “The Hangover Part II” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.