Today was to be the triumphant opening of Christopher Nolan’s conclusion to his Batman trilogy, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Instead, we are left with the grotesque news of a gunman opening fire in a Colorado movie theater during a midnight screening of the film. Twelve people are reported to have been killed while over 30 were injured.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to those injured and the families of those hurt or killed in this awful event.
The suspect is currently in custody and authorities will be likely issuing more information today and in the days to come. What we do know at this point is that James Holmes propped open the back door of the theater approximately thirty minutes into THE DARK KNIGHT RISES. Wearing a gas mask, he threw a smoke bomb/tear gas into the packed theater and opened fire with an automatic weapon. He was also armed with a shotgun and handguns. News agencies are reporting that he may have had explosives as well.
Warner Bros has cancelled the French premiere of the film and cancelled all interviews with Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, and the other stars of the movie.
Statements have been made both by President Obama and Mitt Romney regarding this national tragedy. While the discussion will surely switch to the topic of gun control in the United States, there will surely be those who link the subject matter of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES and the character of Bane to the actions the gunman took. Our job is not to speculate on the unknown but rather to report the news. At this point there is no direct connection between the gunman’s actions and the film itself but we will report to you if anything is learned.
This seems like an isolated event at this point. There have been no statements issued regarding the release of THE DARK KNIGHT RISES being changed in any way. The only change seems to be the removal of the GANGSTER SQUAD trailer that was showing before the film as it contains a scene of gunmen opening fire in a crowded movie theater.
Again, this is a tragedy and one that should rightfully open up dialogue amongst movie fans and people in general about what can be done to avoid these massacres in the future.
Please feel free to comment below regarding your feelings on this awful series of events. Remember to be respectful because we are taking about the loss of lives which is never something to treat lightly or with disrespect.
