Fox Changes ‘Neighborhood Watch’ Title Due to Trayvon Martin Case

Ben Stiller-Jonah Hill alien-invasion comedy "Neighborhood Watch" will now be called "The Watch"

The Ben Stiller-Jonah Hill comedy formerly known as "Neighborhood Watch" has been re-titled "The Watch" due to sensitivity over the Trayvon Martin shooting 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," Fox said.

Also read: Trayvon Martin Fallout: Fox Pulls "Neighborhood Watch" Trailer, Promo Material

The film, which also stars Vince Vaughn and is scheduled for release on July 27, revolves  around a group of suburban fathers who join a neighborhood watch group to break up their daily routines and end up doing battle with invading aliens.

Also read: George Zimmerman 911 Call: 2nd Firing Over Edited Tape

20th Century Fox previously pulled a teaser-trailer for the film and removed promotional materials from theaters in Florida, because the material could have been misinterpreted as being connected to the Martin shooting.

Martin, 17, was fatally shot by neighborhood watch member George Zimmerman in Florida earlier this year after exiting a Florida convenience store where he'd purchased snacks and a beverage. The shooting ignited a heated debate over whether Zimmerman had been racially motivated in the shooting. Zimmerman has been charged with second-degree murder in connection to the shooting.

In two separate instances, employees of NBC were fired for editing Zimmerman's 911 call to police in a way that could suggest that Zimmerman was racially motivated.

Watch the new red-band trailer for the re-christened "The Watch" (Warning: NSFW) below.

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