Universal cancels 'The Hunt' release

Los Angeles: Universal Pictures has decided to cancel the release of its violent satire "The Hunt", which revolves around "globalist elites" killing people for sport.

The announcement came days after two recent mass shootings that left a total of 31 people dead in El Paso and in Dayton, Ohio.

"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," said a statement from Universal Pictures posted to the film's website.

"The Hunt", which features Betty Gilpin, Hilary Swank and Emma Roberts, was scheduled to be released on September 27.

On Friday, President Donald Trump criticised "The Hunt" on Twitter without naming it. He said it was made "in order to inflame and cause chaos".

"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.

"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," Trump wrote in a two-part tweet.

Universal has also taken down its official YouTube links of the movie's trailer.