Studio not publishing Batman BO figures, cancels premieres
Warner Bros. has decided not to publish weekend box office figures for "The Dark Knight Rises" and cancelled red carpet events in the wake of the Colorado massacre.
The entertainment industry is beside itself in mourning and the usual importance of BO numbers is being set aside, reported Variety.
Warner Bros. announced Friday that it would not be reporting grosses out of the respect for the victims, and so far Disney, Fox, Sony, Lionsgate and Universal have followed suit in solidarity.
"Out of respect for the victims and their families, Warner Bros. Pictures will not be reporting box office numbers for The Dark Knight Rises throughout the weekend," said a spokeswoman for the studio.
Estimates say the film earned around USD 75 million domestically from Friday, the third highest opening day in BO history after "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2" (USD 91.1 million) and "The Avengers" (USD 80.8 million).
The Hollywood studio also said cast members would not be making appearances in Japan and Mexico scheduled for Monday, "due to the tragic events in Colorado."
Twelve people were killed and 58 hurt in the attack at a Century 16 cinema in Aurora, near Denver as a man wearing a gas mask opened fire as movie-goers watched the film.
Christian Bale, who plays Batman, commented about the killings, saying, "Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."
Director Christopher Nolan also issued a statement describing the cast and crew's "profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community."
