If you were looking forward to seeing the new Ben Stiller/Vince Vaughn movie about an overzealous neighborhood watch crew, that probably won’t be happening anytime soon. In what seems like an act of political correctness, Fox has pulled the trailer and will be rescheduling the current July 27th release date.
Apparently the recent Trayvon Martin shooting involving George Zimmerman has created enough controversy around neighborhood watch programs and Fox would not like to be viewed as insensitive in light of the events. With over $60 million invested in the film, I am sure the release won’t be delayed for long.
It is a sad coincidence that the film and the Trayvon shooting should happen in such a narrow time frame together, but it is not clear if this will spur more interest in the film or cause people to shy away from the topic. I think most viewers are intelligent and responsible enough to separate entertainment and fantasy from reality.
Here’s the trailer from the film:
I was curious what fans thought about the delay or if anybody had anything pertinent to add to my report so I turned to Twitter for some reactions:
Fox pulls ‘Neighborhood Watch’ poster and trailer in light of Trayvon Martin’s death http://t.co/Mq8xZYkX via @EW
Probably a good move on Fox’s part: “Fox movie studio pulls ‘Neighborhood Watch’ trailer, poster” http://t.co/Ys5FEHcR from @usatoday
Dumb!: Fox Pulls Ben Stiller ‘Neighborhood Watch’ Movie Trailer After Forbes Exclusive – Forbes – http://t.co/IhUfRM8t
Fox pulls ‘Neighborhood Watch’ trailer, poster because Stiller, Vaughn, and Hill all pulled the trigger in Fla?!? http://t.co/F3PIGnoE
Really bad timing for this movie. RT Fox Pulls ‘Neighborhood Watch’ Movie Trailer After Forbes Exclusive – Forbes http://t.co/gomG5zNq
@robinsax
Ha ha. Looks like George Zimmerman killed the weekend boxoffice for the new film “Neighborhood Watch.” http://t.co/CzsS8GmD
You Cant Make It Up: Fox pulls movie trailer for “Neighborhood Watch” with Ben Stiller http://t.co/VFKGu1bl
Stop the #PoliticalCorrectness! RT @Drudge_Report: FOX Pulls Ben Stiller Movie Trailer for ‘NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH’… http://t.co/aeEddlzV
FOX pulls Ben Stiller movie trailer for “Neighborhood Watch” do they think we are stupid or what? Tired of being treated like a child yet?
Fox pulls ‘Neighborhood Watch’ trailer, poster: Bad timing for the upcoming Ben Stiller-Vince Vaughn-Jonah Hill movie.
http://t.co/Kc8jOaW1
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