Connect with us

Movies

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

Published

on

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.

Movies

Alden Ehrenreich Joins Horror Movie ‘Weapons’ from the Director of ‘Barbarian’

Published

on

Pictured: Alden Ehrenreich in 'Cocaine Bear'

The new horror movie from New Line Cinema and director Zach Cregger (Barbarian), the upcoming Weapons is assembling an impressive cast, with Josh Brolin (Dune 2) and Julia Garner (The Royal Hotel) recently signing on. Deadline reports today that Alden Ehrenreich (Cocaine Bear) is the latest actor to join the cast of Cregger’s new movie.

The upcoming Weapons is from writer/director Zach Cregger, who will also produce alongside his Barbarian producing team: Roy Lee of Vertigo and J.D. Lifshitz and Raphael Margules of BoulderLight Pictures. Vertigo’s Miri Yoon also produces.

The Hollywood Reporter teases, “Plot details for Weapons are being kept holstered but it is described as a multi and inter-related story horror epic that tonally is in the vein of Magnolia, the 1999 actor-crammed showcase from filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson.”

Cregger was a founding member and writer for the New York comedy troupe “The Whitest Kids U’Know,” which he started while attending The School of Visual Arts. The award-winning group’s self-titled sketch comedy show ran for five seasons on IFC-TV and Fuse. He was also a series regular on Jimmy Fallon’s NBC series “Guys with Kids” and the TBS hit series “Wrecked,” and was featured in a recurring role on the NBC series “About a Boy.”

Weapons will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.

Continue Reading