'The Hunt' won’t be released in the wake of US mass shootings

Universal Studios have confirmed that its controversial new horror film The Hunt won’t be released in the wake of the mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas.

"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," Universal announced via a statement on Saturday.

”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."

Written by Damion Lindelof, directed by Craig Zobel and starring Betty Gilpin and Hilary Swank, The Hunt revolves around a group of elites who decide to hunt a dozen ‘deplorables’ for sport.

It was due to be released in the US on 27 September, but after the recent tragedies in the United States it has drawn the ire of conservatives, particularly Fox News and president Donald Trump, who on Twitter on Friday, used it as an example of how racist he believes Hollywood is.

"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,” he declared.

“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!"

Read More: Hollywood is ‘really racist,’ according to Donald Trump

Trump had made similar comments to reporters outside the White House earlier in the day.

“Hollywood is really racist. Hollywood is really terrible,” declared Trump. “You talk about ‘racist.’ Hollywood is racist. What they’re doing, with the kind of movies they’re putting out, it’s actually very dangerous for our country. What Hollywood is doing is a tremendous disservice to our country.”