When Universal canceled The Hunt following a stream of mass shootings, the studio released the following statement:

“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.”

Related Article: Universal Pulls THE HUNT Following Mass Shootings

A recent article in The Hollywood Reporter, however, suggest the reasons may be more complex:

On the evening of Aug. 6, Universal Pictures held a test screening of its thriller-satire The Hunt at a crowded theater in the San Fernando Valley. It was the second such screening, and some test audience members were again expressing discomfort with the politics of the Jason Blum-produced film, a source familiar with the feedback tells The Hollywood Reporter.

Also:

Universal executives and the filmmakers began receiving death threats via email and on social media and immediately paused the campaign altogether. Sources say the studio’s internal security force became involved, but outside law enforcement was not alerted. It appears that Universal did not foresee the maelstrom to come, including round-the-clock Fox News segments and tweets by President Trump seemingly directed at the title.

Synopsis:

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don’t know where they are, or how they got there. They don’t know they’ve been chosen – for a very specific purpose – The Hunt.

The Hunt is directed by Craig Zobel from a screenplay penned by Nick Cuse and Damon Lindelof; the film stars Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank, and Emma Roberts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8IifEu67yU

Based on this report, do you think The Hunt was doomed from the get-go? Are you shocked to hear that people associated with the now-canceled film have received death threats? Let us know in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram! You can also carry on the convo with me personally on Twitter @josh_millican.