Apple TV has pulled its French thriller series “The Hunt” from its December lineup amid plagiarism allegations, marking the second time this year the streaming service has removed a completed show just before premiere.
Key Takeaways
- Apple TV removed “The Hunt” from its December schedule over plagiarism claims
- Production company Gaumont is investigating allegations the series copied 1973 novel “Shoot”
- The show starring Benoît Magimel and Mélanie Laurent was set to debut December 3rd
- This follows Apple’s earlier postponement of “The Savant” series
Production company Gaumont confirmed the series has been “temporarily postponed” while conducting a thorough review. The company stated: “We take intellectual property matters very seriously.”
Plagiarism Allegations Surface
French media expert Clément Garin first raised concerns that creator Cédric Anger’s series closely resembles Douglas Fairbairn’s 1973 novel “Shoot” and its 1976 film adaptation. Variety reported the allegations that prompted Apple to remove all promotional materials for the show.
Striking Similarities Between Storylines
The parallels between both hunting narratives appear substantial. Both stories feature:
- Groups of hunters encountering rivals in the wilderness
- Violent confrontations where one hunter gets shot
- Retaliatory actions resulting in deaths
- Survivors returning to civilization while hiding the incident
- Growing paranoia about potential revenge
“The Hunt” follows Franck and his friends dealing with a hunting trip gone wrong, while “Shoot” centers on Rex preparing for anticipated vengeance.
Apple’s Previous Last-Minute Pull
This isn’t the first time Apple TV has removed a completed series. The streaming service previously postponed Jessica Chastain’s “The Savant” days before its September premiere following the shooting of activist Charlie Kirk. That show remains without a release date.
The future of “The Hunt” now depends on Gaumont’s investigation findings, leaving audiences waiting for resolution on both suspended series.
