Since it's impossible to guarantee there won't any accidents involving horses in the future, the channel makes the 'difficult decision' to cancel production on the Dustin Hoffman-starring series.
- March 15, 2012
AceShowbiz -
HBO has pulled the plug on "Luck" after a third horse died on the set of the drama series. In a statement released on Wednesday, March 14, the network announced, "It is with heartbreak that executive producers David Milch and Michael Mann together with HBO have decided to cease all future production on the series 'Luck'."
Explaining the reason behind the cancellation, the network said, "While we maintained the highest safety standards possible, accidents unfortunately happen and it is impossible to guarantee they won't in the future. Accordingly, we have reached this difficult decision."
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which had sounded its concerns on the incidents involving horses during the show's production, is pleased with the latest move taken by HBO. "Knowing that old, unfit, and drugged horses were forced to race for this series, PETA is glad that HBO has finally decided to cancel the show," the organization stated in response to the network's decision.
"Should Milch, Mann, and HBO decide to start the series up again, PETA will be calling on them, as we have done from the start, to use stock racing footage instead of endangering horses for entertainment purposes," the organization added. "PETA has called on law enforcement to investigate the deaths of the horses used on the set and to bring charges as appropriate."
"Luck" was in the middle of the production of season 2 when a third horse died on the set. On Tuesday, the horse was euthanized after suffering a head injury at a Santa Anita Park racetrack stable where the shooting was located. Two other horses died during the filming of the first season.
