Sci-Fi Comedy Seeks to Distance Itself From Trayvon Martin Case
Fox's summer sci-fi comedy Neighborhood Watch has been renamed The Watch, after concerns that the film would remind people of the Trayvon Martin case. And it's tough to blame them: the original poster featured a "Neighborhood Watch" sign complete with a shadowy figure and bullet holes. Trayvon Martin was shot by real-life Neighborhood Watch volunteer George Zimmerman, currently facing charges of second-degree murder.
The film, which stars Ben Stiller, Vince Vaugh, and Jonah Hill, is about suburban dads taking a stand against alien invaders. But as Fox explained, letting the title remain Neighborhood Watch was just too controversial.
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 impression that it might.
Fox removed the original poster — from which the above image is taken — back in March. They also stopped screening the teaser trailer.
Along with the new title, The Watch earned a new trailer. The film will be released on July 27, without any of those uncomfortable associations. A few watch-enthusiasts, however, may be disappointed when they learn the movie has nothing to do with a timepiece.