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| The Most Dangerous Game first brought the subject of hunting humans to the big screen in 1932 |
Universal Studios announced last night that it will not be releasing satirical comedy The Hunt as planned, a decision made in light of the recent mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio. The film had been scheduled to open in the US on 27 September.
In a statement, Universal said that this is not the right time to release the film, implying that it may still do so at a later date. It insisted that it stands by "bold and visionary" filmmakers.
The plot of the film follows a group of people who style themselves 'the Elite' hunting down other people for reasons that apparently politically motivated. It stars Hilary Swank and Jason Kirkpatrick.
A few hours before the announcement, Donald Trump had attacked the film on Twitter, claiming that it was "made in order to inflame and cause chaos". For reasons not immediately clear, he referred to Hollywood filmmakers as racist and went on to say: "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."
Critics have described the studio's decision as censorship and giving way to political pressure, while some of those supporting the decision do not seem clear that the film is a satire and is not advocating the hunting of political opponents.
