StudioCanal Pulls Idris Elba’s ‘Bastille Day’ From French Theaters

The criticism over depicting extreme gun violence in film hasn’t been more relevant than now. Over the past few years, shootouts at movie theaters and large-scale terrorist attacks have struck a cord with many that feel that things need to change. Now, that’s a big request in looking at the state of where media is currently at, but that doesn’t mean production companies can’t take certain actions to help calm things down. And with the recent terror attack that happened on Bastille Day in Nice, France, StudioCanal has taken the wheel in stopping a potentially insensitive situation before it happens.

While he may be in the news for the set photos from Stephen King’s The Dark Tower, Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation) is also starring in new thriller called Bastille Day. He plays a CIA agent who becomes wrapped with a pickpocket that’s in the wrong place at the wrong time. While it’s not a particularly anti-gun film, it’s still one that would normally would be accepted by international audiences. But after what the people of France have gone through over the past few days, Bastille Day‘s theatrical release in the country has changed. According to Deadline, its producers at StudioCanal have asked exhibitors to not show it there.

Bastille Day isn’t the first film of its kind to be pulled after an event like the one that happened in Nice, and, unfortunately, it won’t be the last. Because its a relatively minor film, it probably will get a release on VOD or in select U.S. theaters. For those who want to know a little more about Bastille Day, read the film’s full synopsis below:

Michael Mason (Richard Madden)is an American pickpocket living in Paris who finds himself in the hands of the CIA when he steals a bag that contains more than just a wallet. Sean Briar (Idris Elba), the field agent on the case, soon realizes that Michael is just a pawn in a much bigger game and is also his best asset to uncover a large-scale criminal conspiracy in the heart of the police force.

We will keep you updated as more information becomes available.