Apple TV Pulls 'The Hunt' Show Over Plagiarism Claims

Apple TV has pulled its upcoming French thriller series "The Hunt" just days before its scheduled December 3 debut, after allegations emerged that the show plagiarized a 1973 novel and its film adaptation.

the hunt apple tv show
Production company Gaumont confirmed the postponement in a statement, saying it is "conducting a thorough review to address any questions related to our production." The company added that it takes "intellectual property matters very seriously."

Creator and director Cédric Anger is accused of copying the plot from late author Douglas Fairbairn's novel "Shoot" and the 1976 film of the same name. French media journalist Clément Garin was first to make the allegations, according to Variety.

The similarities between the two stories look fairly substantial. Both narratives follow a group of hunters who encounter rival hunters in the wilderness, leading to violent consequences. In each story, one hunter is shot and the attacker is killed in retaliation. The survivors then return home while keeping the incident secret, but they soon grow paranoid about the potential for revenge.

"The Hunt" was set to premiere with two episodes on December 3, followed by weekly releases through December 31, but Apple has since removed all promotional materials for the series from its website. Apple has yet to comment on the controversy.

It's the second time this year Apple TV has pulled a completed series at the last minute. Jessica Chastain's "The Savant" was postponed days before its September premiere and still has no release date.

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Top Rated Comments

surfzen21 Avatar
3 weeks ago
Just ask Apple Intelligence if it was plagiarized.

That should get to the bottom of this definitively.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CharlesShaw Avatar
3 weeks ago

Do we really need yet another Netflix-style slop engine?
I'm thankful for much of the excellent television that Apple has spent some of its money on. While not everyone is going to be happy with every show, Apple can afford to takes risks on projects that otherwise might not get the budget they deserve to "go all out." Think Severance.

Edit to add: I'm thankful for some of the original content that Netflix funds as well.
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tedwill Avatar
3 weeks ago
At least Apple pulled it. Many Netflix shows have been accused of plagiarism, including Stranger Things and Squid games. Netflix just loves to feed their algorithm and take the money. Apple at least has integrity.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
orbital~debris Avatar
3 weeks ago

Why was The Savant pulled? Also alleged plagiarism?

Do these Hunt actors still get paid if plagiarism is confirmed?

Who spotted the similarities?
The Savant was pulled seemingly due to storyline similarities with current events around the time it was due to premiere on tv.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benface Avatar
3 weeks ago

Do these Hunt actors still get paid if plagiarism is confirmed?
Pretty sure the cast and crew got paid already.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr_Ed Avatar
3 weeks ago

Why wasn’t this checked before Apple bought/made the show?
I’m not a fan of Apple TV (or pretty much any other Apple service for that matter) but to be fair, it has been difficult to check for plagiarism with absolute certainty. Any author who spots similarities between something getting media attention (like a movie or show) and something they created may claim plagiarism is at play, and at the time, may genuinely feel that is the case.


At least Apple pulled it. Many Netflix shows have been accused of plagiarism, including Stranger Things and Squid games. Netflix just loves to feed their algorithm and take the money. Apple at least has integrity.
Stranger Things is a perfect example. The author who initiated the lawsuit re: Stranger Things later voluntarily dropped the lawsuit, saying additional evidence collected for the case convinced him Stranger Things indeed did not plagiarize his work.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)