Warner Bros, Christopher Nolan Respond to the Tragic Shooting

Aurora Colorado TheaterDue to the horrific murders of innocent moviegoers just trying to catch a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, theater chains – including AMC Theaters – are banning anyone in costume (no masks are allowed, either). Additional security has been brought in for some showings of The Dark Knight Rises, however screenings will continue as planned.

Initial box office estimates indicate the shooting by a lone gunman in Colorado hasn’t kept people away from theaters, but Warner Bros may refrain, according to Deadline, from putting out the standard box office estimates throughout the weekend in respect for the Colorado victims. Additionally, The Hollywood Reporter says networks including NBC, ABC, and CBS have pulled TV spots, and Warner Bros is re-editing trailers to delete scenes of guns.

The Dark Knight Rises filmmaker Christopher Nolan issued this statement:

Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting, but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families.”