Media

Box Office Goes Silent in Wake of Colorado Shooting

NEW YORK (AP) — In the aftermath of the Colorado shooting during a screening of “The Dark Knight Rises,” Hollywood studios banded together to withhold box-office reporting through the weekend, while Warner Bros. frantically rushed to remove a movie trailer with now eerie relevance.

While the weekend is usually Hollywood’s time to peddle its flashy offerings and tout its millions in box office, the second day of release for “The Dark Knight Rises” was anything but business as usual following the Aurora, Colo., shootings that killed 12 and wounded 58 at a Friday midnight showing of the new Batman film.

“Words cannot express the horror that I feel,” Christian Bale, who stars as the caped crusader in the film, said in a statement. “I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them.”

All of the major studios in Hollywood said Saturday they were joining “Dark Knight Rises” distributor Warner Bros. in withholding their box-office numbers for the weekend. Sony, Fox, Disney, Paramount, Universal and Lionsgate followed Warner Bros.’ lead in forgoing the usual revenue report until Monday out of respect for the victims and their families.

Box-office tracking service Rentrak, too, said it would not report figures this weekend, leaving a weekly Hollywood tradition of boasting to go silent for awhile.

“The Dark Knight Rises” is sure to be among the most lucrative movie openings. It was seen as a possible contender with the record $207.4 million brought in by “The Avengers,“ but that appears unlikely even though ”The Dark Knight Rises” earned $30.6 million from the Friday midnight screenings alone.

Hollywood trade publications Variety and Hollywood Reporter reported estimates of roughly $75 million to $77 million for the film on Friday, based on box-office insiders. That would put it on track for somewhere around $165 million for the weekend. Such a total would be the second-highest weekend opening ever, after “The Avengers.”

Any projections, though, are bound to be rough approximations given the atypical circumstances. Many of Friday’s tickets were pre-sold before the shooting. Moviegoers making their way to theaters also faced increased security and, in some places, bag checks. AMC Theaters, the country’s second-largest movie chain, said it would not allow costumed fans or face-covered masks into its theaters.

Warner Bros., a subsidiary of Time Warner, also had an unfortunately-timed trailer to contend with. A promo for its upcoming film “Gangster Squad” had been attached to “The Dark Knight Rises.” The trailer for the ’40s period film, which stars Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling, features a climactic scene in which mobsters fire automatic weapons into a movie theater audience from behind the screen.

The studio immediately pulled the trailer from theaters Friday, but some theaters were still running it as late as Saturday evening. Moviegoers from Connecticut to California complained on social media when they saw the trailer before “The Dark Knight Rises.”

College student Alex Isreal was among those who took to Twitter after seeing the trailer at an AMC theater in Danbury, Conn. Addressing the theater chain, she said the trailer was “shown to my horror.”

A representative for Warner Bros. said the studio was working around the clock with exhibitors to pull the “Gangster Squad” trailer. While removal from theaters with digital projectors is quick and easy, cutting the trailer from 35 millimeter projections has proved more difficult.

The trailer appeared to be running in relatively few of the 4,404 theaters playing “The Dark Knight Rises.” Warner Bros. expected it to be totally eliminated by the end of Saturday. The trailer did not run in the Colorado movie theater where the shooting took place.

After quickly canceling a Friday night premiere in Paris, the studio on Saturday also canceled the other remaining red-carpet extravaganzas in Mexico City and Tokyo.

Christopher Nolan, the movie’s director earlier responded to the tragedy, expressing his sorrow for the victims and their families.

Said Nolan: “The movie theater 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.”

Comments (35)

  • Achilles84
    Posted on July 23, 2012 at 8:44am

    The Dark Knight Rises is a great great great movie. There are disgustingly violent and degenerate movies out there, but this isn’t one. It’s good vs. evil plain and simple. It was extremely clean by todays standards and I will be buying it as soon as it comes out. My wife who is way more sensitive to the vile stuff they put in movies these days said it was the best movie she had seen in 10 years… That shocked me but I loved it as well. Just didnt expect it from her… WATCH THIS MOVIE….

    Report Post »  
    • Achilles84
      Posted on July 23, 2012 at 8:46am

      As you can see, even I liked the joker… AND… AND I love violent video games… I just happen to not be insane…. I have a conceal carry permit and LOVE the tea party!

      Report Post »  
  • ECtech
    Posted on July 23, 2012 at 1:54am

    The ONLY person at fault here is the shooter (of course this “gun free zone” nonsense doesn’t help).

    Some people simply are not sane. Sane people understand the difference between fantasy and reality and are unaffected by violent movies, games, etc.

    You could eliminate every violent book, movie, game (etc.) and events like this WOULD STILL HAPPEN!

    Report Post » ECtech  
  • scrudge
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:32pm

    Ah Yes…. I can see it now….. every law office especially those T V law firms… law suits up the ying wang…. even the pop corn vender will be sued… welcome to LA LA LAND

    Report Post »  
  • wewantchillywilly
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:23pm

    i never saw the avengers. i had never even heard of it until the weekend after it opened. how in the world did it make that much money? atleast 2 dozen movies just like it had been made before in the last 5 years alone.

    Report Post »  
    • k8ti
      Posted on July 23, 2012 at 1:17am

      I think because they made is family friendly and All American, so adults were watching it, but then would go a second time to take their kids. When I saw it, there were A TON of families in there…so more tickets than usual were being sold. Plus it was just a good All American entertaining movie.

      Report Post »  
  • RinkyDink34
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:48pm

    @DAGNABBIT5
    Not to speak is to speak!
    Jesus could indeed work miracles, humans can only choose right or wrong.

    Report Post » RinkyDink34  
  • Dagnabbit5
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:44pm

    Oh, suck it up and stop being dramatic. The people you were shot or the people with family and friends that were killed or hurt are going through the horror of it all. You, Ms Isreal, are sitting in an air conditioned theater sucking down a soda. Grow up you twitter twit.

    Report Post »  
    • Dagnabbit5
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:49pm

      Weird, half my post wasn’t posted. The Blaze really needs to work on their site.

      Report Post »  
  • kevinj319
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:37pm

    Let’s keep it this way.

    Who cares how much money such-and-such movie made? Does the public really care about this? Why is it even reported?

    I think most people, unless they have a financial stake in the movie, are simply concerned with whether the movie is good or not.

    Report Post »  
    • marshan3q
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:24pm

      As an aspiring filmmaker, I very much so care.

      Report Post »  
    • kevinj319
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:17pm

      Why? Shouldn’t you be working on storytelling, framing, composition, lighting, etc… and not worrying about how much money someone else’s movie made? Meaningless.

      Report Post »  
  • Meyvn
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 1:29pm

    Splicing tape is not difficult. That’s how we did it back in the day.

    Report Post » Meyvn  
  • mcmeador
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:48pm

    All of this PC crap needs to stop. Pulling trailers? Holding off releasing box office numbers until Monday? Stop being so sensitive, people. What happened in Colorado is a horrible thing, but this is all just ridiculous.

    Report Post »  
  • RinkyDink34
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:37pm

    Only immoral people with sick minds go to see these sick Violent movie’s made by immoral Greedy movie magnates;even worse yet these same immoral clueless parents cultivate their children to grow up to be potential immoral violent Murderers.
    - Show me the movie’s you watch, and I’ll show you your future -

    Report Post » RinkyDink34  
    • Dagnabbit5
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:48pm

      The Bible is full of violence. Most condoned by God in His name. Even Jesus picked up a stick and beat the sellers that were using the temple. Be careful about pointing fingers.

      Matthew 7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

      Report Post »  
  • ImMadAsHell
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:24pm

    I thought of maybe watching the movie now with what has occurred, I will PASS…. The movie can tank for all I care….. Enough violence in movies, enough cursing, the list is long….. Thats Y IMMADSASHELL and Im not going to take it anymore…

    Report Post »  
  • SilentDove
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:28am

    Does not even a single person here have any more than a ‘passing experience’ with the supposed ‘violent Hollywood movies’. It‘s incredible the utter ignorance seen here when it comes to ’culture’. No one seems to understand that first of all Batman has nothing to do with violence and while the movies feature a select number of violent scenes never has a set of movies been more about standing up to what’s wrong. Believe it or not, that’s the theme of most movies. But I don‘t think many of you watch the movies that come out because you hate ’Hollyweird‘ or whatever idiotic nickname you’ve given it now.

    Hollywood is not responsible for jack-squat, you know who is? You. You took your kids to see it, you gave your kids the Internet, you gave your kids an Xbox. Hollywood gives us nothing we don’t already want and deserve.

    Do you like the free market or not because Hollywood is one of the greatest examples of the free market in all of HISTORY. Free speech for me, but not for thee?

    If you actually watched the things you condemn, so you could have an actual knowledge of them you’d problem not only like them but watch more of them.

    Some basic cliff notes:

    1. Hollywood isn’t the only place people make movies.
    2. Most movies aren’t made in Hollywood.
    3. Hollywood is a nickname conservatives have given to people who disagree with them and have a voice or make films.
    4. Violence in films is not real violence, it is staged. Did you know that? Fact of

    Report Post »  
  • GIVE.ME.LIBERTY.OR.I.WILL.GIVE.YOU.DEATH
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:10am

    I hate that this tragedy occurred. That said, I honestly dont care about the numbers for movies in general. I would care if I had something vested in it. Why dont you all try running the numbers on how much China is buying into Hollywood and American companies, Like AMC for instance, that seems much more important to me. The only good possibility out of this? Perhaps China can clean up Hollywood’s immorality a bit? I honestly appreciated Hollywood when it promoted morality, but that was a long time ago. SEX DOES NOT SELL, at least it doesnt sell me, so I only go to the theaters maybe once a year and guess what, I DONT watch Hollywood TV at all because of what Hollywood has become…I would rather study current events and investigate reporting (cross referencing)

    Report Post » GIVE.ME.LIBERTY.OR.I.WILL.GIVE.YOU.DEATH  
  • dullsville
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:15am

    I saw it last night at the drive-in. I usually cringe at the subtext of most Hollywood movies (global warming, evil rich, etc.), so this made a pleasant change. While it is violent, the clear message of standing up for what is right and telling the truth made up for it. It’s worth seeing–and supporting.

    Report Post »  
  • idarusskie
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:51am

    I have not seen any of the batman movies all the way through. They seem to dark.

    Report Post »  
    • JohnDoeSr
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:09pm

      I prefer the old TV series with Adam West and, I believe, Burt Ward. That was a Batman that did not take itself serious, (to put it mildly), but it was fun

      Report Post »  
  • Vegascelt
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:36am

    Hollywood, promoting violence (much like the Romans) should not be surprised when it turns around and bites them. Chickens coming home to roost?

    Report Post »  
  • myway
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:33am

    You have to be joking. In Sugar Land TX the lines were going out the door. We chose to see “2016 love of hate obama” must see.

    Report Post » myway  
    • myway
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:35am

      Whoops! That would be”2016 love or hate obama!” Must see!

      Report Post » myway  
    • SilentDove
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:28am

      I was in Sugarland and all I saw were lines for The Dark Knight Rises…

      Report Post »  
  • Jasgent
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:13am

    This is not Hollywoods fault, this is the fault of a total madman. The batman trilogy is one of the best movie series ever, yes it is violent but the acting and storyline are 2nd to none, and when it comes right down to it, the 2nd movie in the series, is one of the best movies I have ever seen, bar none. It is a real shame that this murderer did this, my thoughts and prayers go to the victims and their families. It is a real shame also that nobody had a concealed weapon to maybe stop the killing before it happened. A sad day indeed!

    Report Post »  
    • Jasgent
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:28am

      One more thing, if anything this series proves and promulgates is that people MUST stand up against evil, they must not listen to lies, they must not approve of lies and evil people spewing false lies. Men must stand for things that are good in this world, as it seems, these days so few are willing to be anything but quiet mice, scared of offending others. I do not condone doing evil to stop evil, I merely emphatically state that there are far more cowards not willing to defend that which is good, as they are so oblivious to even comprehend what is good and what is evil, and most now call good evil, and evil good.

      Report Post »  
    • 000degrees
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:59am

      So…..next weekend is ok to show the hollywood violence again????

      Report Post »  
  • BehindBlueEyes
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:02am

    Hollywood is one of the primary reasons the culture in America has deteriorated. I’m finished with Hollywood, its products and its so called “stars”. Virtually the whole tinsel town cult is in bed with the commie in chief. They have enabled the nightmare in the WH with their millions and will continue to support him.

    Report Post » BehindBlueEyes  
  • R.A. Bullseye
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:24am

    Holding their numbers is the least they can do. I have never seen the other movies and won’t go see this one. I stay away from most of what H-wood offers.

    Report Post »  
    • Meyvn
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 1:33pm

      Same here. It also is interesting that many in our culture crave the violent movies and horror flicks and pay money and stand in long lines to go see them, but when presented with the real thing, quickly find they have no stomach for it. Stoopid.

      Report Post » Meyvn  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 1:53am

    Hollywood feeding the globe, sex, violence and immorality……knocked on the door………… As ole racist reverend wright would say ……. Comin home to roost…………

    Report Post »  
    • ModerationIsBest
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:20am

      So what you’re saying is because most people are weak-minded and unable to tell the difference between what is real and what is a movie, they should stop producing movies?

      I can watch a movie about someone having an affair and still not want to have an affair.
      I can watch a movie about a mob boss without wanting to become a mobster.

      Report Post »  
    • SilentDove
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:29am

      I saw Star Wars and I immediately became emblazoned, developed powers of “The Force” and started choking my subordinates with magic.

      Report Post »  

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