Universal cancels ‘The Hunt’: Movie about elites hunting ‘deplorables’ for sport
In the wake of increasing backlash and outrage, Universal Pictures has canceled the September 27 release of the controversial movie The Hunt, a horror film set around the concept of wealthy elites hunting “deplorables” as sport. Check out the shocking trailer below.
Universal Pictures spokesperson said: “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.
“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.”
According to a source, “Universal insiders feel that doing the right thing was more important than releasing the movie because of the current climate.”
NBC’s Universal Pictures, which shares parent company Comcast with NBC News and MSNBC, told Fox News on Wednesday that the movie’s marketing campaign would be “temporarily paused” on the heels of the tragic mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Gilroy, California.
There is no confirmation that the film will or won’t be released at a later time or directly to a streaming service.
Star Hilary Swank says it’s “important to celebrate our differences” and that the President’s divisive politics haven’t changed her intent to tell meaningful stories.
“My desire to tell certain stories has always been the same, no matter who the President is,” she said. “The choices that I’ve made pretty much inform who I am as a person, and that’s not going to change no matter what’s happening.”
On Friday, President Trump slammed Hollywood and presumably the movie.
“Hollywood, I don’t call them the elites. I think the elites are the people they go after in many cases. But Hollywood is really terrible,” he said.
“What they’re doing, with the kind of movie they’re putting out, it’s actually very dangerous for our country. What Hollywood is doing is a tremendous disservice to our country.”
