NBC Universal will not be releasing controversial movie The Hunt next month as planned, following a backlash over the film’s themes that depicts ‘privileged’ vacationers hunting ‘deplorables’ for sport.
There have been widespread objections to the movie’s plot, particularly in light of the recent mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton that left 31 dead.
The studio’s decision came just one day after President Trump lambasted the film, calling its creators ‘racist’ and saying the movie was ‘made to inflame and cause chaos’.
‘Liberal Hollywood is Racist at the highest level, and with great Anger and Hate! They like to call themselves “Elite,” but they are not Elite. In fact, it is often the people that they so strongly oppose that are actually the Elite,’ Trump scorned from the White House Lawn.
‘The movie coming out is made in order to inflame and cause chaos. They create their own violence, and then try to blame others. They are the true Racists, and are very bad for our Country!’
NBC Universal is still pushing ahead with plans to release the movie The Hunt despite mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, Dayton, Ohio, and Gilroy, California
The film’s premise shows MAGA-type people kidnapped and hunted for sport by liberal elites
President Donald Trump on Friday called Hollywood racist, amid controversy over a film that shows ‘deplorables’ being hunted
There has been a fair amount of outrage and backlash of the premise of the film on Twitter
The Hunt is supposedly a satirical take on wealthy thrill-seekers who take a private jet to a five-star resort where they embark on a ‘deeply rewarding’ expedition that involves hunting down and killing designated humans.
NBC’s Universal Pictures had agreed to ‘temporarily pause’ the movie’s marketing campaign in the wake of the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio that left a total of 34 people dead.
The violent, gun-toting film revolves around a group people from predominately Republican states being kidnapped and hunted for sport by liberal elites.
GLOW’s Betty Gilpin stars opposite Hilary Swank, the two leads playing women on different political divides in an exaggerated re-imagining.
But in a statement on Saturday, Universal said ‘after thoughtful consideration’, they decided to cancel the films release on September all together.
‘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.’
It continued: ‘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
An internal debate surrounding the film’s next steps is currently ongoing and is described as a ‘fluid situation’
Universal Pictures say they do not intend to delay its release despite its controversial nature
In the trailer, Swank’s character says: ‘We pay for everything, so this country belongs to us.’
In the screenplay for movie, characters in the film apparently refer to the victims as ‘deplorables,’ – a term that Hillary Clinton infamously dubbed Trump supporters during the 2016 election.
The film was originally called Red State Vs. Blue State.
The movie has caused outrage, with conservatives calling it everything from ‘political violence’ to ‘sick murder fantasies about right-wingers.’
While some trailers for the film have been pulled, there’s an internal debate deliberating the film’s next steps.
But decisions will need come fast, as there’s an promotional blitz planned in September.
Universal is reportedly assessing their plan as a ‘fluid situation’ and it could change ‘if people think we’re being exploitative rather than opinionated.’
In a politically divisive era, several film studios refused to buy the film because of its crazy plot
Several studios refused to buy the film because of its controversial plot
The Hunt is billed as a satire that follows wealthy thrill-seekers taking a private jet to a five-star resort where they embark on a ‘deeply rewarding’ expedition that involves hunting down and killing designated humans
Regardless, executives want to support James Blum, founder of high grossing production company Blumhouse, and filmmaker Craig Zobel.
To executives, the film represents a satire addressing current social issues.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the controversial film was divisive back in May 2018 when film chief Donna Langley acquired the script and fast tracked it on a $18 million budget.
One executive told The Hollywood Reporter, ‘The idea seemed crazy’ and didn’t even read the script.
A filmmaker involved with Universal said: ‘Employees in different departments were questioning the wisdom of making such a movie in these times.’
The controversial film was divisive back in May 2018 when film chief Donna Langley acquired the script and fast tracked it on a $18 million budget
He continued, ‘In light of the horrific [recent shootings], is this not the most craven, irresponsible, dangerous exploitation?’
A Universal executive believes the movie, ‘is meant to show what a stupid, crazy world we live in. It might even be more powerful now.’
On August 3, gunman Patrick Crusius entered a Walmart and killed a total of 22 people and left more than two dozen wounded in El Paso, Texas.
A mass shooting happened the next day in Dayton, Ohio when Connor Betts opened fire at a bar and killed 10 people.
It came just days after Santino William Legan, attacked The Gilroy Garlic festival in California. Four people were killed, including the gunman and a six-year-old boy on July 28.