The twenty-four year old James Holmes, self proclaimed Joker, entered the midnight showing of The Dark Knight rises in Colorado and began his own savage scene. He fired three guns and lobbed gas grenades into an innocent crowd of moviegoers, killing twelve and injuring 58.
"He said he was the Joker, enemy of Batman," NYPD Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said after conferring with law enforcement in Aurora.
Holmes told police that he was the Joker and did not resist arrest as enforcement grabbed him after the shootings. The shooter was fully geared with a gas mask, bulletproof vest, an assault rifle, shotgun, glock pistol, and tear gas. According to Denver State's ABC 7 News, Holmes purchased a ticket for the night showing and watched briefly before leaving and returning with the weapons.
The tragedy has struck fans and moviegoers nationwide along with The Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan. Nolan expressed his condolences with an official statement.
"Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre 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. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families," said Nolan.
The theatre shooter has affected premier releases for the Dark Knight Rises as Warner Bros. reported that actors Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway and Joseph Gordon Levitt has cancelled Monday's press conferences at Mexico City's National Auditorium. Other cancellations include Friday's premiere in Paris.
The Dark Knight Rises has been pitted against fellow superhero film The Avengers, with some expecting Batman to topple the record-breaking numbers set by Marve'ls superhero team. As of current, The Dark Knight Rises is looking to be over the $77 million range as of Friday. Weekend expectations could be over $170 million based on the current pace. Looking at the numbers, it would make The Dark Knight Rises the highest for a 2D single day opening. The film is being shown at 4,404 U.S. theatres. It is hard to predict box office numbers due to the recent tragedy as Warner Bros. plans to withhold its numbers out of respect for the victims involved in the Colorado shooting.
But this morning The Dark Knight Rises looks to be in the $77.2 million range Friday - give or take one million - from 4,404 domestic theaters. That's the 3rd all-time opening day and the best 2D single day. Look for a huge drop Saturday because of the $30.6M in midnight shows, including $2.2M IMAX grosses.
My sources say the 3-day weekend cume looks to be in the $170M range with the caveat that the Colorado tragedy may have an impossible-to-predict effect. This will be the largest grossing 2D North American opening weekend ever, past 2008′s The Dark Knight at $158M.
"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. Box office numbers will be released on Monday," stated Warner Bros. in a report from The Hollywood Reporter.
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