Over the weekend, I drove to Las Vegas so I could sit down with the cast and crew of “The Hangover Part III” and talk to them about the film.
At this point, the actors seem relaxed because they’ve finished. Whatever happens with this last film, their work is done now. Whatever people end up thinking about the new film, they’ve taken their shot and wrapped up one of the unlikeliest franchises in modern memory.
I spoke to director Todd Phillips, lunatic co-star Ken Jeong, the members of the Wolfpack, and, in the final room, Justin Bartha and Heather Graham. My first observation is that Graham is a vampire. It’s the only explanation for how she looks exactly the same now as she did 20 years ago. It’s spooky.
I had to laugh the night before the interviews. At one point, I ordered dinner to my room, and when the waiter showed up, he asked if I was there with the Warner Bros. event. He then went into a long monologue about how he’d worked at Caesars when the first “Hangover” was shooting in Vegas and he had to serve Justin Bartha dinner every night. This guy may well have been the single biggest Justin Bartha fan I’ve ever met. He kept talking about what a great guy Bartha is and how well he tips and how much he hopes Bartha’s career goes well. Honestly, I don’t even think Bartha is as invested in the eventual fortunes of Justin Bartha as this guy was.
The last thing he asked me was if I’d heard anything about a “National Treasure 3.” He told me that he feels like that’s where Bartha really shines, and he was desperate to see more of that character. As a result, I felt obligated to ask Bartha about the possibility during our conversation.
So, Vegas Waiter Dude with the big Bartha Obsession, this one’s for you.
“The Hangover Part III” opens May 24.