In light of the controversy surrounding the shooting death of unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin by the hands of neighborhood watchman, George Zimmerman, a major summer blockbuster film has changed its name.
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The film starring Hollywood heavy hitters Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn, was once known as “Neighborhood Watch” and as of Friday will be known simply as “The Watch”
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As reported by the Associated Press:
“Neighborhood Watch” will now be known as just “The Watch.”
Fox said Friday that the name of the film starring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn as suburban neighborhood watch volunteers who uncover an extraterrestrial plot was changed in light of the shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Florida.
“As the subject matter of this alien invasion comedy bears no relation whatsoever to the recent tragic events in Florida, the studio altered the title to avoid any accidental or unintended misimpression that it might,” the studio said in a statement.
Fox previously pulled early promotional materials for the movie because of the Trayvon Martin case.
The death of Trayvon Martin caused a national uproar pleading for justice in his death. Although the movie has no relation to the incident, the name change prevents the film from being paralleled with this case in any way.
Check out the trailer for the movie below.
SOURCE: Associated Press
