After appearing in a brief cameo in the 2012 comedy The Dictator, Edward Norton was asked whether he would pursue more comedy sequels. He responded by stating his hope that The Hangover Part III would remain unmade, though he acknowledged the film would likely be produced regardless. True to his prediction, the film was released the following year in 2013 with the original cast of Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, and Zach Galifianakis returning to their roles.

The Hangover Part III received harsh critical reviews, validating Norton's reservations about the project as reviewers described it as the moment the franchise had lost its creative direction. The 2013 period highlighted Norton's continued presence in cinema across varied projects, demonstrating his versatility in both comedic and more serious dramatic work throughout that year.