‘Hangover 3’ filming: Warner Bros. thanks O.C. for patience

The cast of “The Hangover” has taken on Las Vegas and Thailand, Mike Tyson’s tiger and an unpredictable gangster in the first two installments of the comedic trilogy.

But if there’s one thing you don’t mess with, it’s Southern Californians and their traffic.

Warner Bros. Pictures took out a full-page advertisement in the Orange County Register on Monday thanking county residents “for their cooperation, patience and goodwill” while “The Hangover Part 3” filmed on a closed California 73 toll road this past weekend.

The Daily Pilot first reported the closure.

“We know that traffic disruptions can be unpleasant and that many of you, particularly the communities of Irvine, Newport Beach and Costa Mesa were impacted by the closure of a section of SR-73,” the ad read. “Your understanding is greatly appreciated and went a long way to making this a successful shoot.”

The 3-mile section of California 73 from the 405 Freeway in Costa Mesa to Jamboree Road in Newport Beach is a gateway for southbound traffic in the county, and the final stretch of free highway before drivers reach the first toll plaza.

When residents found out the road would close for the weekend filming, not everyone was pleased.

“I think that it’s another example of a state agency that just does what it wants without understanding what it does to a local community,” said Costa Mesa City Councilman Steve Mensinger. “Clearly, the state doesn’t care what happens in local communities.”

Warner Bros. is expected to pay the San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor for lost toll revenues and other costs, said Lori Olin, a spokeswoman for the agency that collects the tolls.

The agency said it would receive a location fee of $10,000 each day the road was closed and would assess toll losses for the closure and bill Warner Bros. Olin said Warner Bros. would pay at least $25,000 to the agency.

This story was reported by Lauren Williams and Times Staff Writers Kate Mather and Nicole Santa Crus.