Warner Bros. isn't pulling Dark Knight Risesfrom theaters, but there are significant changes going into effect following thelargest mass shooting in U.S. history.
After one law-enforcement official noted that James Holmes, the 24-year-old grad student suspected of murdering 12 and leaving 58 others injured during a midnight screening,"had his hair painted red...he was the Joker," AMC Theatres has banned moviegoers from coming to screenings in disguise. The chain won't allow "costumes that make other guests feel uncomfortable" and "will not permit face-covering masks or fake weapons inside our buildings."
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In addition to the costume ban, several networks are pulling Dark Knight Rises TV ads from the airways.
A source confirms to E! News that NBC, CBS and ESPN were removing advertising for the would-be blockbuster from their airwaves. Although Warner Bros. has not asked for the ads to be pulled, but "fully supports any media partners who have decided to pull them."
Several other networks have pulled possibly controversial programming from their weekend schedules.
"With a sensitivity to current events, Showtime has replaced several movies in their schedule for the weekend," a rep for the premium-cable network told Deadline.com. Also, NBCU-owned USA has scratched episodes of Law & Order: SVU and The Unit.
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As of now, TNT still plans to show The Dark Knight both tonight and tomorrow as scheduled.
Warners, meanwhile, has yanked Gangster Squad trailers nationwide from airing beforeDark Knight Rises. The trailer inlcues a scene of armed men entering a movie theater and opening fire.
Exhibitors and studios heads have been consulting with the Department of Homeland Security on ways of beefing up security measures. Already, there is an increased police presence at theaters across the country, including New York, Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
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"While the tragedy in Aurora, Colo., appears to be an isolated incident, our vigilance has been raised," said Capt. Mike Parker of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department. "The heightened alert...includes increased patrols to create a more visible presence at movie theaters and other places where people congregate."
Despite the tragedy, box-office projections show the film on track to make upwards of $90 million on Friday.
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