In wake of shootings, controversial movie ‘The Hunt’ canceled
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Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Universal Pictures has canceled the planned September release of its controversial social thriller “The Hunt” in the wake of recent mass shootings and criticism from President Donald Trump.
The movie is a gory, R-rated political thriller that depicts liberal “elites” hunting people in red states for sport. Trump criticized the planned movie on Twitter on Friday, without mentioning its name, saying it was intended “to inflame and cause chaos.”
Universal had already suspended the marketing campaign for the film, which stars Oscar winner Hilary Swank and is directed by Craig Zobel.
But the studio said in a statement Saturday that it had decided to cancel release altogether.
“While Universal Pictures had already paused the marketing campaign for The Hunt, after thoughtful consideration, the studio has decided to cancel our plans to release the film,” a Universal spokesperson told CNN Business in a statement. “We stand by our filmmakers and will continue to distribute films in partnership with bold and visionary creators, like those associated with this satirical social thriller, but we understand that now is not the right time to release this film.”
It was due to hit theaters Sept. 27.
CNN News Service contributed to this report.