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Breaking: Universal Pulls ‘The Hunt’ From Release Following Mass Shootings

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In Blumhouse’s The Hunt, twelve strangers are captured and hunted for sport by what an early synopses says says are “rich, liberal elites.” Universal Pictures was set to release the film in theaters next month, but in light of the recent mass shootings and much political turmoil, they have opted to “cancel” their plans to release the film. Deadline heard that a collective decision was made by Universal leadership, led by Donna Langley, with The Hunt filmmaking team.

As the site notes, the news of Universal canceling The Hunt comes after putting the brakes on the pic’s marketing campaign in the wake of the El Paso, TX; Dayton, OH; and Gilroy, CA mass shootings.

The studio released the following statement this morning:

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.

While plans have been canceled, the site does note that it could come back at a later date for a theatrical release, or it could go to streaming once Comcast launches that service.

The Hunt follows 12 red-state strangers who wake up in a clearing and realize that they’re being hunted by liberals. Betty Gilpin and Oscar winner Hilary Swank play women on opposite sides of the political spectrum, conservative and liberal, who are targeting each other. Craig Zobel directed the movie which was written by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof.

Horror movie fanatic who co-founded Bloody Disgusting in 2001. Producer on Southbound, V/H/S/2/3/94, SiREN, Under the Bed, and A Horrible Way to Die. Chicago-based. Horror, pizza and basketball connoisseur. Taco Bell daily. Franchise favs: Hellraiser, Child's Play, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween, Scream and Friday the 13th. Horror 365 days a year.

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Adam Wingard Not Returning to Direct ‘Godzilla x Kong’ Follow-Up

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We had learned two weeks ago that a sixth installment in Legendary’s 10-years-strong Monsterverse is in the works, and The Hollywood Reporter brings us the latest update tonight.

The site reports that Adam Wingard, who directed both Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong, will NOT be returning to direct the upcoming follow-up to Godzilla x Kong.

THR notes, “The parting of ways is described as amicable and stemming from timing issues. The door remains open for a future return, per insiders.”

Wingard is instead returning to his roots with the upcoming Onslaught, an action-thriller for A24 that’s said to be more in the vein of his earlier movies You’re Next and The Guest.

Dave Callaham (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) is writing the upcoming sixth movie in the Monsterverse franchise. We have no idea if it’ll be a follow-up to Adam Wingard’s two movies, or if it will take the film franchise down a new path. Stay tuned.

Beginning with the Godzilla film in 2014 and continuing through 2017’s Kong: Skull Island, 2019’s Godzilla: King of the Monsters, 2021’s Godzilla vs. Kong, and most recently the record-breaking Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, the Monsterverse has accumulated over $2B at the global box office and expanded into the highly successful event series, Legendary’s Monarch: Legacy of Monsters for Apple TV+. We recently learned that “Monarch” is getting a second season, with more Monsterverse spinoff shows being planned at Apple TV+.

“Apple TV+ has struck a new multi-series deal with Legendary Entertainment, which includes multiple spinoff series based on the franchise,” the recent press release had stated.

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