THE BUZZ

Gibson's 'Hangover' cameo canceled

Mel Gibson's cameo in "The Hangover 2" has turned into a big headache, People magazine reports. Despite having the studio's approval, plans to feature Gibson in the sequel have been canceled, director Todd Phillips said. "I thought Mel would have been great in the movie," Phillips told the magazine. "But I realize filmmaking is a collaborative effort, and this decision ultimately did not have the full support of my entire cast and crew." Phillips did not say who objected to including Gibson.

Williams nearing

a Broadway debut

Robin Williams, wildcat? The actor/comedian makes his Broadway debut March 31 in "Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo," Rajiv Joseph's dark comedy about two American Marines and an Iraqi gardener, as narrated by a tiger (Williams) at the Baghdad Zoo, Newsday's Linda Winer reports. Moises Kaufman (who last directed Jane Fonda in "33 Variations") will stage the play, which was a finalist for the 2010 Pulitzer Prize. Williams has not acted in a play in Manhattan since 1988, when he and Steve Martin appeared in Mike Nichols' Off-Broadway production of "Waiting for Godot." Previews begin March 10 at a theater to be announced.

Projects mark

Joel anniversary

In celebration of 2011 marking the 40th anniversary of the release of Billy Joel's first solo album, "Cold Spring Harbor," Columbia/Legacy Recordings is planning a huge reissue project - releasing newly restored and expanded Legacy editions of Joel's catalog next year. As an appetizer, the label will release the 19-track "The Hits," a newly compiled Joel collection, on Nov. 16.