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  • 3
    Feb
    2013
    9:49pm, EST

    'Dark Knight' villain Bane takes heat for Super Bowl blackout

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, NBC News

    When some of the lights went out shortly after halftime at Super Bowl XXXXVII, the online jokes went on. Many joked that an electrifying performance by Beyonce and Destiny's Child at halftime took out the Superdome's power, but others pointed to a more sinister entertainment connection -- "Dark Knight Rises" villain Bane.

    Warner Bros. Pictures

    Bane says: It wasn't me!

    In the film, which was released in July, creepy villain Bane booby-traps Pittsburgh's Heinz Field and it slowly crumbles behind real former Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward. Defenders chasing him fall into nothingness as the field explodes, and Ward scores the touchdown only to turn around and stare at what had, seconds ago, been a gridiron.

    Bane also attacks the Gotham Stock Exchange, cuts the city from the rest of the world, and gleefully watches it descend into near anarchy. Which didn't, thankfully, happen at the Superdome, where the lights came back on and play restored in less than an hour.

    Joked a Twitter user with the fitting name of The Batman, "Investigation confirms not even Bane's power outage attempt can save the 49ers."

    "How epic would it have been when Super Bowl power went out to hear Bane's voice on the tv say "you think the darkness is your ally?" wrote the Yesh Gaming account.

    The Bane jokes soon became so thick that even their very popularity became the joke. Wrote Brian Lynch, ""Grandpa, where were you during The Great Superbowl Blackout of 13?" "Making Bane jokes to strangers, lad. Making Bane jokes to strangers."

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  • 2
    Dec
    2012
    12:27pm, EST

    Best bets: 'Dark Knight Rises' flies onto DVD and Blu-ray

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, NBC News

    It's a quiet week in the entertainment world, but we've found three picks for the week ahead. Batman's final chapter (for now) comes to home video, as does a wonderful and little-seen Oscar contender. And Bill Murray puts comedy aside to play President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in a new movie.


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    TUESDAY: 'Dark Knight Rises' on DVD and Blu-ray
    "Dark Knight Rises" was garnering only positive headlines from all corners, and then a horrific shooting at a theater in Colorado forever unjustly marred its name. But the film itself stands alone as an absorbing and action-packed wrap-up for director Christopher Nolan's trilogy. Information about the home video extras have been leaking out, and one of the most interesting featurettes reveals secrets behind the famed football field explosion, where real NFLer Hines Ward scores a touchdown for the Gotham Rogues only to turn slowly and look back at the devastated field. (Out on DVD and Blu-ray Dec. 4.)

    TUESDAY: 'Beasts of the Southern Wild' on DVD and Blu-ray
    You may not have heard of the fantastical drama "Beasts of the Southern Wild," but you'll hear its name again come Oscar time. Child actress Quvenzhané Wallis (just 5 at the time of filming) plays 6-year-old Hushpuppy, a bayou child in a world where prehistoric Aurochs are about to be released from melting ice caps. (Stay with us here.) She has a sick father, a missing mother, and a mess of troubles. The film won the Camera d'Or award at Cannes and the Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic at Sundance. It's arty and odd enough that it probably never made it to your mall multiplex, but now you can see it at home. (Out on DVD and Blu-ray Dec. 4.)

    FRIDAY: 'Hyde Park on the Hudson'
    Bill Murray as President Franklin Delano Roosevelt? That's the fact, Jack. The comedian has played serious before, though it hasn't always worked out. (1984's "The Razor's Edge" was a giant flop.) "Hyde Park on the Hudson" features Murray's FDR  pursuing an affair with his own cousin (Laura Linney) and hosting the young King and Queen of England as World War II approaches. That's a lot of historical and personal baggage, and it'll be interesting to see how Murray handles it. (In theaters Dec. 7) 

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  • 16
    Oct
    2012
    11:56am, EDT

    What was the deal with Robin in 'Dark Knight Rises'?

    Ron Phillips / Warner Bros. Pictures

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt in "The Dark Knight Rises."

    By Kirsten Acuna, Business Insider

    It's been one of the biggest unanswered questions from "The Dark Knight Rises" left open for interpretation.  Who was Joseph Gordon-Levitt's Robin? 

    We finally have an answer.

    IGN interviewed Nolan at New York Comic Con asking about the perplexing end to the Caped Crusader's run in "The Dark Knight Rises." 

    Though Nolan offered some vague thoughts on Alfred and Bruce Wayne's final encounter in Florence, he was slightly more specific on the mention of Robin's name at the end of the film.  


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    "It's a wink at the audience," tells Nolan. "I think, what we endeavored to do, was not the complete story of Batman, but our complete story of this character. … The wink towards Robin was an acknowledgment that he liked the character, and I liked the character. It's a huge part of that universe for 70 years." 

    There you have it. Nolan wasn't suggesting that Joseph Gordon-Levitt was the Boy Wonder or Nightwing. His name was just "coincidentally" Robin as a nod to the famous character. He was no more than John Blake.  

    We'll still believe he was the future Nightwing. After all, Gordon-Levitt did very well act as Batman's Robin in the final film. 

    And, the actor himself has expressed some interest in a spinoff, too. 

    You can watch the short interview below:

    More from Business Insider:

    • The original 1966 Batmobile was bought for $1 from Ford
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    • Report: Fox is already calling for 'Taken 3'

     

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  • 23
    Aug
    2012
    9:38am, EDT

    City of Aurora creates survey on future of 'Dark Knight' shooting theater

    By Randee Dawn, NBC News contributor

    Rick Giase / EPA file

    The Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colo.

    Exactly one month after the mass shooting at the Century movie theater in Aurora, Colo., the city of Aurora posed a question to its Facebook fans: What should happen to the theater next? Would anyone really want to go see a movie at the site of a such a tragedy?

    A survey attached to the Facebook post asks respondents: "As Aurora moves forward after the tragedy of July 20, it is our hope that the entire community will participate and benefit from the citywide healing process. Many people have asked about the future of Aurora's Century 16 theater. We want to know your thoughts. Please take a few minutes to tell us your thoughts. These comments will be shared with Cinemark for consideration in their decision making process."

    Though the responses given in the survey are private, Facebook users have left a wide range of public comments.

    "(C)an't let him win by closing the theater!" posted Robyn Severson. 


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    Noted Kara Johnsen Emery: "It should be knocked down and built back up from scratch, and not only because of the shooting, but because of the lack of security features and crowd it drew for years. It has always felt like an unsafe place!"

    Added Barbara Willis: "Donate it to a non-profit dedicated to peace."

    Several comments suggested turning the place into a memorial; one thought having Syfy's "Ghost Hunters" called in to "do their thing" was a good idea. But many seemed to agree with Severson -- that to close down the theater would be to "let" the shooter, James Holmes, "win."

    The City of Aurora, Colo., posted later that comments posted to Facebook would also be shared with owner Cinemark Holdings. NBC News reached out to Cinemark; the company had no comment.

    The theater has been closed since the July 20 incident, in which 12 people were shot to death and 58 injured.

    Tell us what you think in our poll, or over on Facebook.

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  • 5
    Aug
    2012
    1:13pm, EDT

    'Dark Knight' wipes out 'Total Recall' at the box office

    Warner Bros.

    Christian Bale in "The Dark Knight Rises."

    By Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter

    Moviegoing was down again at the domestic box office as Sony's sci-fi action epic "Total Recall" opened to a soft $26 million, well behind the $36.4 million earned by returning champ "The Dark Knight Rises" in its third weekend.

    New family player "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days" also came in on the low end of expectations in opening to $14.7 million. However, the film cost a modest $22 million to produce so is already on solid ground financially.

    The Aurora theater shooting and the 2012 Summer Olympics continue to mute moviegoing. Domestic ticket sales were down 25 percent from the same weekend last year, while research firm NRG continues to warn studios that 20 percent of the moviegoing audience are skittish after the shooting (16 percent reported they would be watching the Olympics this weekend).

    Photos from THR: Batman's onscreen villains: 10 greats from Joker to Bane

    Heading into the weekend, Sony projected a domestic opening in the $25 million to $30 million range for "Total Recall," although many box office observers believed it would come in on the higher end and possibly jump the $30 million mark. The pic cost at least $125 million to produce.

    "We opened within that realm. We're off to a good start and I think the film will be very successful on a worldwide basis," Sony president of worldwide distribution Rory Bruer said. "When you consider the scope of the movie and all the special effects, it was made for a very reasonable price."

    "Total Recall" -- directed by Len Wiseman and headlining Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale and Jessica Biel -- is counting on a strong international run to boost its bottom line and opened in 10 Asian markets this weekend, earning $6.2 million.

    The movie played best to older moviegoers in North America. Males made up 58 percent of the audience, while ticket holders over the age of 30 made up 53 percent.

    THR video: Bryan Cranston on playing a villainous father figure

    Neither critics nor moviegoers were wowed by the remake, based both on the 1990 Paul Verhoeven film and the short story by Philip K. Dick. The film drew generally poor reviews and earned a C+ CinemaScore from the audience, likely hurting word of mouth.

    Fox's "Wimpy Kid 3" is the first film in the family franchise to open in summer (in keeping with the story's setting). The previous two installments debuted in March, each opening north of $22 million.

    Chris Aronson, president of domestic distribution for Fox, said "Wimpy Kid 3" will make up the difference during the week, considering that kids are still out of school. He said the studio always knew the film would be a slow burn.

    "We're off to a good start and the balance of summer lies ahead," Aronson said.


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    "Wimpy Kid 3" earned an A- CinemaScore.

    Photos from THR: 'Total Recall' premiere red carpet arrivals

    "Dark Knight Rises," from Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures, fell only 41 percent in its third weekend and has now grossed $354.6 million domestically. The movie continues to trail "The Dark Knight," which had amassed a domestic war chest of $393 million at the same point in time.

    Imax theaters continue to see big grosses for "Dark Knight Rises," generating $5.6 million in tickets sales over the weekend for a cume of $43 million.

    What did you see in theaters this weekend? Tell us on our Facebook page!

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  • 2
    Aug
    2012
    8:58am, EDT

    Original Catwoman Julie Newmar disses 'Dark Knight'

    By Courtney Garcia, NBC News contributor

    Everett Collection

    Julie Newmar played Catwoman in the 1960s.

    The original Catwoman herself, Julie Newmar, isn't thrilled by the dark direction recent "Batman" movies have taken.

    Newmar, 78, portrayed the leather-clad anti-hero in the 1960s television series. She recently told Michael Yo on Yahoo!’s “The Yo Show,”that she feels the reimagined film epic doesn’t embrace the good sentiment of her past show, and that the franchise has been moving darker for decades.

    "It's dark," she said about “The Dark Knight” franchise. "I think we had so much fun in the ‘60s, 1966 to 1968. And then Vietnam came and things sort of got darker and darker and darker."

    She attributed some of the modern movie tone to the difference in costumes, now more industrious as opposed to the lighter, simpler ensembles from her days.


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    “What with all the costumes that they have to wear now, there's a lot that you can't see anymore," she said. "You know, when you have everything sort of padded out and very macho and all that kind of thing. It’s as if the costumes act for you."

    Newmar had a hand in the creation of her famed costume, noting that she “redesigned it” with a gold belt around her hips because “it looked better there.”

    Her head-to-toe leather suit has been on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History in Washington for the past several years.

    Newmar's 1960s series starred Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. In a June interview with Hollywood.com, Ward also recalled an appreciation towards the more light-hearted feel of his TV show.

    “People come up to me and they say, 'We like the Batman movies, but we like what you did with Batman much better,'" Ward, 67, recalled. "And, in fact, when  Adam [West] is speaking to a crowd, he says, 'You know, when you go to the movie theaters, you see the Dark Knight. But with Burt and me… we’re the Bright Knights.'"

    But West can give credit when credit is due. The 83-year-old actor, who recently appeared on Seth MacFarlane’s animated series, “Family Guy,” said in an interview with IGN in April that, unlike Newmar, he was a"Dark Knight" admirer.

    “Absolutely. I'm a fan of anything that's good, especially when it's conscientiously good,” West remarked.

    West was also asked if he may reprise his superhero role in animated fashion.

    “I get asked about it often, but I'm not sure. I just go my own way,” he said. “If my agent calls and presents me with something, and I find it refreshing or illuminating, yeah I'll do it. To hear the fans [asking about a Batman series] it's great. It means that I'm still being considered for all kinds of different things. As you get older, that's pretty rare, and wonderful. “

    Watch on YouTube

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  • 27
    Jul
    2012
    10:40am, EDT

    Ted Nugent: 'Dark Knight' audience should have been armed

    By Courtney Garcia, NBC News contributor

    Paul J. Richards / AFP - Getty Images file

    Ted Nugent

    Rocker Ted Nugent offered his opinion on the July 20 shooting at a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Colorado, discouraging stricter gun laws and suggesting armed moviegoers might have quelled the massacre.

    “We pray for all victims&loved ones of demonshooter in CO& we SALUTE the brave warriors who saved lives IF only they would hav had a good gun,” Nugent posted on his Twitter page Wednesday.

    He later tweeted, “there were no assault weapons used in the CO shooting only universally proven sporting & self defense firearms & 6k rounds aint squat. lies,” and “how much dope must one injest for how long to believe unarmed & helpless is a desirable condition? soulless is as soulless does to bait evil.”

    Nugent’s statements coincided with his interview on conservative commentator Glenn Beck’s radio show, where he elaborated on his stance and criticized Fox TV host Bill O’Reilly for suggesting the government should raise standards for purchasing heavy weapons.

    “It epitomizes the ignorance out there when Bill O’Reilly states, as a fact, that anybody can go buy a bazooka and a machine gun without the government knowing it unless, of course, you’re in the Crips and the Bloods,” Nugent said on the “Glenn Beck Program” Wednesday. “To buy a machine gun, you have to go through such a vetting, such a federal BATF and local law enforcement, national law enforcement review, background check, fill out all kinds of documents and buy a $200 transfer tax certificate per purchase if they allow it.”


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    James Holmes, accused shooter in the Colorado massacre, is said to have been carrying an AR-15 semi-automatic assault weapon with a 100 drum magazine when he opened fire on moviegoers killing 12 people and wounding at least 58 others. Four rifles were found in his possession, including a Smith & Wesson AR-15 type rifle, and all were purchased legally. In the past 60 days, police said Holmes bought more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition at gun shops and over the Internet.

    Comedian Dane Cook jokes about 'Dark Knight' shootings

    “I know for a fact that most of the damage done by this devil in Aurora was done with the number one pheasant shotgun in the world, a Remington 870,” Nugent said to Beck. “His AR-15 Smith & Wesson rifle is now the most popular sporting rifle in America. It is the number one competition, number one in self‑defense, it’s the number one sporting rifle for big game and small game. And if they keep calling it an assault weapon, I may have that aneurysm.”

    Beck commented, “You know, here’s the thing.  If – and nobody I hear is talking about this except people like us – If you had more people carrying a weapon, if people had a gun in their back…and they were licensed to carry it – that guy wouldn’t have gotten off more than four shots.”

    Not everyone agrees with Nugent and Beck, of course. In response to Nugent’s tweets, followers sent a series of replies, some more incendiary than others.

    Wrote Brett Anderson, “@TedNugent More bullets flying in a dark, tear-gassed movie theater would have made everything better!! #Idiot”

    Jason Jordan tweeted, “@TedNugent Doesn't shooting someone count as assault? So he assaulted and killed people with an automatic non-assault rifle?”

    And Bob Asbilleprovided an alternative, “@TedNugent I say outlaw ALL guns & only let people have bows and knives. could still hunt no prob. But no more mass murders of innocent ppl”

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  • 26
    Jul
    2012
    9:34am, EDT

    'Step Up 4' to keep controversial gas mask scene despite outcry

    Summit Entertainment

    "Step Up Revolution."

    By Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter

    Summit Entertainment won't edit out a scene from 3-D dance pic "Step Up Revolution" in which a troupe of dancers enter a room wearing gas masks -- similar to the gas mask worn by suspect James Holmes when he opened fire at a theater last Friday.

    "Step Up Revolution": Film review

    However, Summit immediately pulled advertising materials referencing the scene following the theater massacre in Aurora, Colo.

    The 3-D dance pic opens Friday, meaning that the movie was sent out to exhibitors early in the week.

    Last week's tragedy in Colorado began when Holmes entered a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" with the rest of the crowd before propping open an emergency door and going to his car. He re-entered the theater wearing a gas mask and body armour, along with gas bombs and weapons.

    Slideshow: Shooting at Batman screening in Aurora, Colo.

    Ted S. Warren / AP

    Launch slideshow

    The sequence in "Step Up Revolution" involves a group of dancers who -- wearing gas masks -- infiltrate a corporate party wearing gas masks and carrying smoke canisters.

    "Summit Entertainment's 'Step Up Revolution' is an uplifting film that celebrates the redemptive power of dance. There is a brief scene in the film in which a troop of dancers enter a room wearing gas masks as props and the dancers immediately go into a choreographed routine," Summit said in a statement.

    PHOTOS: 28 of Summer's Most Anticipated Movies: "Avengers," "Dark Knight," "Prometheus"

    "Because of last week’s tragic events in Colorado, Summit immediately removed television advertising that briefly showcased that scene from the film. The scene also briefly appeared in a trailer released three months ago that the studio is no longer actively servicing. Having taken these steps, Summit will open this inspirational, nonviolent film in theatres nationwide this weekend as originally edited," the statement continued.

    Some members of the media raised took to social media to discuss the scene in "Step Up 4" following a press screening of the movie on Tuesday night. Executives from Summit and parent co. Lionsgate discussed the situation throughout Wednesday, although the movie has already gone out to exhibitors.


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    "Step Up 4," rated PG-13, stars Kathryn McCormick, who appeared on the sixth season of "So You Think You Can Dance," Ryan Guzman, Adam Sevani, Misha Gabriel and Peter Gallagher.

    At least one Hollywood movie is already being altered in the wake of the theater shooting during a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." Warner Bros. is delaying release of "Gangster Squad" until Jan. 11. The film, which had been set to open in early September, has a scene where a moviegoers are shot in a theater.

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  • 24
    Jul
    2012
    5:56pm, EDT

    Christian Bale visits victims of movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo.

    .

    By Jordan Zakarin, The Hollywood Reporter

    Christian Bale is making a quiet trip to Aurora, Colo. to visit with the victims of last week's movie theater massacre.

    With free time thanks to the cancellations of premieres and press appearances for "The Dark Knight Rises" in Mexico and Japan, Bale took it upon himself to visit, Warner Bros. told The Denver Post.

    More from THR: 'Dark Knight Rises' director Christopher Nolan calls Colorado shooting 'devastating'


    Follow @ TODAY_ent

    On Friday, the Oscar-winner issued a brief statement expressing his sympathies to those impacted by the mass shooting, allegedly carried out by James Holmes, at the midnight screening of Bale's final Batman film.

    “Words cannot express the horror that I feel,” he said at the time. "I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

    More from THR: 'The Dark Knight Rises' cast -- What's next for Christian Bale and company?

    Last week, a petition urging Bale to visit the victims in Colorado emerged online.

    Slideshow: Shooting at Batman screening in Aurora, Colo.

    Ted S. Warren / AP

    As many as 12 people were killed and 50 injured at a shooting at the Century 16 movie theatre in Aurora, Colo. early Friday during the showing of the latest Batman movie.

    Launch slideshow

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  • 24
    Jul
    2012
    2:07pm, EDT

    Warner Bros. confirms donation to Colorado shooting victims

    Jewel Samad / AFP - Getty Images

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, NBC News

    Warner Bros., the studio that released "The Dark Knight Rises," confirms to NBC News that it is making a substantial donation to help victims of the July 20 shooting at a Colorado screening of that film.

    The studio confirmed a report by The Hollywood Reporter that the studio will be contributing to the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, established in partnership with Colorado governor John Hickenlooper.

    As described on givingfirst.org, the fund "will only be used to meet the immediate and long-term needs of victims and their families and, as funds are available, the broad needs of those affected in the community."

    Warner Bros. has been praised for its reaction to the shooting. The studio canceled a planned red-carpet premiere event in Paris and pulled the trailer for its upcoming movie "Gangster Squad" from "Dark Knight Rises" showings due to a scene that features a movie-theater shooting.

    Slideshow: Shooting at Batman screening in Aurora, Colo.

    Pool / Getty Images

    Launch slideshow

    The studio would not confirm reports that the movie-theater scene is being cut from "Gangster Squad," which stars Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling and Josh Brolin and is scheduled for a September release.


    Follow @ NBCNewsEnt

    Related content:

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  • 23
    Jul
    2012
    6:18pm, EDT

    'Dark Knight Rises' earns $160.8 million for best 2D debut

    Warner Bros.

    By Todd Cunningham, TheWrap.com

    In the wake of the Colorado shootings, "The Dark Knight Rises" took in $160.8 million in its opening weekend at the domestic box office.

    That's the best debut ever for a 2D movie and the third best for any movie, but projections from industry analysts before its opening had the Warner Bros. film going as high as $195 million.

    Friday's massacre at a midnight cineplex screening of the film in Aurora, Colo., in which 12 were killed and 58 injured, clearly chilled moviegoers' enthusiasm. But while not record-breaking, the box office numbers are high enough that the studio can be relatively confident "Dark Knight Rises" will meet or come near its long-term projections -- provided its stays strong in the U.S. and meets expectatons at the foreign box office.

    More from TheWrap.com: Lack of 3D will limit Batman's box office

    Overseas, "Dark Knight Rises" brought in $88 million in 17 markets, according to Warners. The top foreign market was the U.K. with $22.5 million. It also made $15.7 million in South Korea, $15.5 million in Australia and $4.8 million on foreign Imax screens.

    The final film in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy had been expected to challenge Disney and Marvel's "The Avengers," which bowed to $207 million in May, for the biggest opening weekend ever. The second-best U.S. bow ever was posted last year by "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2" at $169 million.

    "The Dark Knight Rises" grosses came from 4,404 screens in the U.S. and Canada. That's the second-largest domestic rollout ever and includes a record 332 Imax screens.

    The overall box office was soft. Last week's No. 1 film. Fox's "Ice Age: Continental Drift," fell 56 percent to $20.4 million. Sony’s “The Amazing Spider-Man,” which made $34.6 million lst week, dropped to $10.8 million, a 68 percent drop. Universal's "Ted" was down 55 percent at $10 million and its "Savages" fell 64 percent to $3.3 million.

    More from TheWrap.com: 'Dark Knight Rises': WB, studios maintain box-office data blackout


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    The numbers, normally sent out by the studios on Sunday morning, were released at 2 p.m. Monday, Warner Bros., rival studios and box office data firm Rentrak decided Friday to delay the report “out of respect for the victims and their families.”

    The aftermath of the Aurora, Colo., shooting spree created an unprecedented scenario for Warners, theater owners and moviegoers. Law enforcement beefed up security at theaters across the nation. In Los Angeles, uniformed and undercover officers were on hand. AMC, one of the nation’s largest theater chains, banned face-covering masks and fake weapons.

    Warner Bros. and Legendary Entertainment produced “The Dark Knight Rises” for an estimated $250 million. Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Tom Hardy, Gary Oldman and Morgan Freeman star.

    Did you go see "Dark Knight Rises"? Tell us on Facebook.

    Related content:

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  • 20
    Jul
    2012
    5:42pm, EDT

    Shootings thrust 'Dark Knight' studio into tough spot

    By Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, NBC News

    Before the shootings at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colo., the future looked bright for Warner Bros.' $250 million summer blockbuster.

    Midnight showings of "Dark Knight Rises" had been sold out at many theaters for weeks, and scalpers were trying to sell tickets on eBay for more than $100. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive, with an 86% positive critical rating and a 94% fresh rating from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes.

    Mike Groll / AP

    Despite the shootings at a Colorado theater, "The Dark Knight Rises" could still set box-office records this weekend.

    The film started big, pulling in $30.6 million at U.S. and Canadian box offices in midnight screenings -- the second-highest midnight opening in history, Reuters reported.

    But soon the good news turned to horror. After the shootings, the New York Police Department announced that it would provide increased coverage at New York theaters showing the film. Warner Brothers quickly canceled the film's planned red-carpet premiere in Paris and later canceled appearances by the cast and filmmakers in Mexico and Japan, the Associated Press reported.

    However, Warner Brothers told NBC News that it would not cancel any additional screenings of "The Dark Knight Rises" or pull it from any movie theaters. The L.A. Times reported that some broadcast and cable channels were pulling television ads for the movie.

    Slideshow: Shooting at Batman screening in Aurora, Colo.

    Launch slideshow

    Warner Brothers confirmed to NBC News that it had pulled the trailer for its upcoming film, "Gangster Squad," from "Dark Knight Rises" showings. In that trailer, four men shoot at a theater audience from behind a movie screen while a film plays.

    Crisis-management experts who spoke to NBC News agree that Warner Brothers' early actions have been solid. The studio issued a statement saying it was "deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident" and extended sympathies to families and victims.


    Follow @ msnbc_ent

    "There is no playbook" for studios affected by such a tragedy, crisis communications expert Eric Dezenhall told NBC News. Dezenhall is the CEO of Dezenhall Resources and the author of "Damage Control: Why Everything You Know About Crisis Management is Wrong."

    He warned that the studio would need to be careful about "anything that looks like there are festivities," noting that canceling the Paris premiere was probably a smart decision. "But that doesn't necessarily mean that every movie theater in the country has to stop playing it," Dezenhall said.

    And early reports would seem to indicate that moviegoers are continuing to buy tickets for the long-awaited film. The Hollywood Reporter estimates the film will gross between $80 and $90 million on Friday and end the weekend around $180 million, behind only "The Avengers" as far as weekend box office records. Tickets to "The Avengers" cost more than "Dark Knight Rises" tickets due to a 3-D surcharge.

    "At the end of the day, this is going to be the finality of a very successful franchise for Warner Brothers," Amir Malin told NBC News. Malin was the CEO of Artisan Entertainment and is an adjunct professor at NYU's Stern School of Business, teaching a course in film finance, marketing and distribution. "Yes, it will be tainted by the disaster of early this morning. Unfortunately, there tends to be short-term and mid-term awareness and long-term memory loss, and I think the tragedy of this morning will probably go down as a footnote to the overall success of the film."

    While individual theater chains are grappling with whether or not to implement increased security measures, experts note that the shooting could have happened at a sports stadium, concert hall, or any other location where the public gathers.

    "This could have been at any event in any venue, and it could have been in any locale," Malin says. "(The shooter) decided the venue was going to be the opening of 'Batman,' (but) this could have been anything."

    Yet others point out that due to the effect Hollywood films have on the youth of the nation, the film industry would do well to examine the influence of its movie content.

    "We're not doing 'Casablanca' any longer, we're doing very different kinds of films and very different kinds of music," said Robert Dilenschneider, founder of The Dilenschneider Group, a strategic communications company. "There has to be in a sense some inward looking on the part of the people who produce the film, but also on the part of people who produce other films."

    Dilenschneider told NBC News he'd like to see the Hollywood studios use their big-name celebrities to speak out against the circumstances that led to the shooting.

    "This is a major effort that has to be joined by George Clooney and Denzel Washington and all the other top people in terms of how they feel about this and what they're going to do about it," he said. "This is the time for those men and women to speak out, to say we're going to draw the line, this isn't going to happen any more."

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Gael Fashingbauer Cooper, NBC News

Gael Cooper is the movies editor for TODAY.com and a pop-culture junkie. She is the co-author of "Whatever Happened to Pudding Pops?" and "The Totally Sweet '90s."

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