AMC Theatres has pulled the slasher sequel "Hatchet II" from all of its cinemas.

After the MPAA refused to give the movie an R rating, AMC volunteered to release an unrated version of "Hatchet II." The sequel, enjoying the widest release of an unrated genre film in more than 25 years, opened Oct. 1 in the top 20 markets across the country.

However, the limited release grossed less than $70,000.

Adam Green ("Frozen"), who wrote and directed "Hatchet II," is no stranger to the drama of grueling ratings battles with the MPAA and the disappointment that comes with it.

"We woke up this morning and the movie was gone," Green said in an interview with EW. "I'm bewildered and confused.

"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."

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

Green, on the other hand, isn't disheartened by the sequel's performance.

"It's an unrated cult movie that didn't have commercials and all those other things," he explained. "I don't see them pulling a movie on Sunday because it doesn't look like the box office is going to blow people away.

"The good thing is that the biggest audience for this movie -- because it was for the first one -- is going to with on demand and DVD."

"Hatchet II" continues the story of Marybeth -- now played by Danielle Harris ("Halloween") -- as she slips from the clutches of supernatural-slasher Victor Crowley ("Friday the 13th" star Kane Hodder), and then ruthlessly seeks to end his reign of terror in the Louisiana Bayou.

The film also stars Tom Holland, Tony Todd ("Candyman"), R.A. Mihailoff ("Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III"), Kathryn Fiore, Parry Shen, Rick McCallum, Ed Ackerman, Colton Dunn, David Foy, Nick Principe and Alexis Peters.