Adam Green's horror sequel Hatchet II was released in unprecedented fashion this past weekend, hitting theaters unrated through the AMC theater chain. It seems the run will only last one weekend though, as Entertainment Weekly reports that Hatchet II was yanked from all North American theaters by AMC.

We reported back in August that Hatchet II would be the largest unrated theatrical release in 25 years. Adam Green told the site that he learned of AMC's decision to no longer screen the movie on Monday morning:

"We woke up this morning and the movie was gone. I'm bewildered and confused."

AMC released a brief statement to the site, explaining why they pulled Hatchet II:

"At AMC theaters, we review all films in all of our theatres every week and then make our business decisions based on their performance."

Hatchet II earned just over $52,000 in 64 theaters for a miniscule $774 per-screen average, although Adam Green believed the decision to remove the movie had more to do with the controversy surrounding the ultra-violent slasher sequel, which stars Kane Hodder and Danielle Harris:

"I assume it probably had something to do with the controversy online about an unrated movie playing in theaters. To me, the whole thing is unfortunate because this is not a movie that deserves to be unrated. It's a very funny, silly slasher movie about a swamp ghost that's killing people in ridiculous ways. And now it's become, you know, 'Banned from cinemas.' I've lost 11 pounds in the last week from stress."

The director also added that the DVD will likely be on more of a fast-track to get the movie out to fans as quickly as possible:

"The good thing is that the biggest audience for this movie-because it was for the first one-is going to be with on demand and DVD. I know that [Hatchet II distribution company Dark Skies, in light of it being pulled prematurely, is going to do everything they can to get it to the fans as fast as they can. And that's exciting. I don't really make hardcore movies. I'm doing a kids' movie next! Hopefully, this is the last time I'm ever even going to deal with something like this."