Bradley Cooper back for one last Hollywood 'Hangover'

LOS ANGELES: After years of struggling to break into the Hollywood A-list from television, actor Bradley Cooper has gained some serious recognition for his work on the
Silver screen.

Cooper returns to the comedy franchise, "The Hangover," which skyrocketed his career, after dramatic roles that earned him an Oscar nomination and praise for his more dramatic talents.

The 38-year old actor has been on TV since 1999 and landed some supporting film roles. But it wasn't until he was cast as the cocky Phil in the 2009 buddy comedy, "The Hangover," that he found mainstream success.

The movie, about four men who try to piece together the events of a wild bachelor party in Las Vegas, became an unlikely hit, grossing more than $467 million at the worldwide box office and spawning a franchise.

After "The Hangover Part II" took the actors - Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha - to Thailand on yet another wild bachelor party, they decided to return one last time in "The Hangover Part III," out in theaters on Friday.

"We really didn't let any day pass without taking stock of what we have because of these movies, and how special our bond is," Cooper told Reuters about filming the final installment.

"It really is a once-in-a-lifetime thing and to be able to do a third one and go out knowing it's over, hopefully we're going out on a high note."

In the final film of the franchise, the wolf pack is unwittingly lured back to Las Vegas in a full circle from the first film, in a hunt for the elusive and eccentric Mr. Chow (Ken Jeong).

Cooper said that while the first two films had become box office hits with similar storylines, it was important that the third film found a new plot.

"There was a lot of pressure to make sure it was going to be fresh, that it was going to deviate from the structure of the first two," the actor said.