Universal has scrapped the release of "The Hunt". It's entirely appropriate for the studio to pull a film like this in the wake of the spate of mass shootings. Recall that they held back Schwarzenegger's Collateral Damage after 9/11 and delayed the release of the 2017 remake of Death Wish after the Las Vegas massacre.Regardless of the right wing's phony handwringing, it's the smart thing to do in any case:
The studio's decision came a day after President Trump took aim at the film, saying it was "made to inflame and cause chaos." The story follows a group of elites hunting "deplorables" for sport.
Universal has decided to scrap the release of The Hunt — an R-rated satire in which elites hunt "deplorables" for sport — following a series of mass shootings across the country. The film had been set to hit theaters on Sept. 27.
The studio's Saturday announcement came a day after President Donald Trump took aim at the film — though he didn't name its title — and Hollywood, saying on Twitter, "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. 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!"
Even before Trump weighed in, the movie sparked an outcry on social media amid the public anger over gun violence and networks entered into the conversation when ESPN pulled an ad for the film that it had previously cleared. Subsequently, Universal pulled all spots.
"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," the studio said in Saturday's 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."
The violent movie from producer Jason Blum's Blumhouse Productions follows a dozen individuals who wake up in a clearing and realize they are being stalked for sport by elite liberals.
Directed by Craig Zobel, The Hunt is written by Damon Lindelof and Nick Cuse. The movie stars Betty Gilpin (GLOW) and Hilary Swank, representing opposite sides of the political divide.
"This was a decision that the studio came to with The Hunt filmmaking team, but ultimately it was about making the right decision, right now. It was a tough call for the company, but studio leadership, led by Donna Langley, all agreed that this film could wait," a studio source said. (NBCUniversal's parent company is giant Comcast.)
But it should be understood by all that the hoopla on the right about this is totally bogus. The movie is a social satire that skewers the "elite liberals" and the Deplorables alike. It's obviously based on this old film.
And keep in mind that Trump's favorite movie is "Death Wish"
I have a license to carry in New York. Can you believe that? Nobody knows that, [Applause] somebody attacks, somebody attacks me, oh, they're gonna be shot.
Can you imagine? Somebody says, oh, it is Trump piece easy pickings what do you say? Right? Oh, boy. What was the famous movie? No. Remember, no remember where he went around and he sort of after his wife was hurt so badly and kill. [Inaudible] What?
I -- Honestly, Yeah, right, it's true, but you have many of them.
Famous movie
Somebody
You have many of them. Charles Bronson right the late great Charles Bronson name of the movie come on. Death Wish, remember that?
Ah, we're gonna cut you up, sir, we're gonna cut you up, uh-huh.
Bing
One of the great movies.
Charles Bronson great Charles Bronson. Great movies
Today you can't make that movie because it's not politically correct, right? It's not politically correct. But could you imagine with Trump? Somebody says, oh, all these big monsters aren't around he's easy pickings and then shoot.
As I mentioned, they did do a remake of "Death Wish." In fact, it was being made when Trump made his speech. Revenge movies are always being produced. Just ask the Attorney General of the United States --- he loves them too, says they reflect the very natural belief among the American people that the judicial system sucks and there's no way to get real Justice in the United States.