![](\"https:\/\/etrafficlane.com\/newline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/039Joker039-Won039t-Play-at-Aurora-CO-Theater-Site-of-2012-Mass-Shooting.jpg\")
Warner Bros<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\nJoaquin Phoenix<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s performance as the Joker in Todd Phillips<\/strong>\u2018 dark take on the Batman villain is getting huge buzz, but at least one theater in Aurora, Colorado won\u2019t be showing the film \u2026 the venue where the 2012 mass shooting occurred.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Century Aurora and XD is the remodeled site where James Holmes \u2014 armed with an assault rifle and other guns and wearing full body armor \u2014 attacked moviegoers at a screening of \u201cThe Dark Knight Rises,\u201d killing 12 and injuring 70.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Holmes became linked to the Joker because of his bright orange hair and reports he called himself that when he was arrested \u2026 though those reports turned out to be false.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n The theater reportedly will not be showing \u201cJoker\u201d \u2014 there are currently no showtimes listed and a theater employee tells The Hollywood Reporter no advance ticket purchases are available because the multiplex won\u2019t be showing the film.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n It\u2019s unclear if this is out of respect, or fear of a copycat incident.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Either way, the decision to pass on \u201cJoker\u201d comes as family members of the Aurora shooting<\/strong><\/a> victims are expressing concerns about Phoenix\u2019s portrayal of Arthur Fleck, who becomes the Joker, and the violence that laces the film \u2026 \u00a0asking Warner Bros. to join the corporate leaders who understand \u201cthey have a social responsibility to keep us all safe.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Sandy Phillips<\/strong> \u2014 mother of Jessica Ghawi<\/strong>, who was one of the 12 killed \u2014 and her husband, Lonnie<\/strong>, along with 3 other family members of victims, all signed a letter<\/strong><\/a> sent to Warner Bros. voicing fears over the movie and asking the studio to donate to groups that help victims of gun violence.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Sandy says the movie feels \u201clike a slap in the face\u201d and she\u2019s terrified \u2026\u201dMy worry is that one person who may be out there \u2014 and who knows if it is just one \u2014 who is on the edge, who is wanting to be a mass shooter, may be encouraged by this movie.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n She adds \u2026 \u201cFor me, it\u2019s the gratuitous violence that this film glorifies and elevates with the Joker character.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The letter to Warner Bros. states that the 2012 shooting was \u201cperpetrated by a socially isolated individual who felt \u2018wronged\u2019 by society\u201d and acted on it.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The letter asks the studio to end political contributions to candidates who support the NRA and encourage Congress to lobby for gun reform, but it does not ask for the \u201cJoker\u201d release to be halted or canceled, nor does it call for a boycott.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n It\u2019s a little weird \u2026 the letter more than suggests releasing the movie is irresponsible and dangerous, but then it goes on to say they support free speech \u2014 even if it\u2019s harmful.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Warner Bros. says it has not yet received the letter. We\u2019ve reached out \u2026 no word back so far.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Fans of the movie got a first look at Phoenix as both Fleck and the Joker about a year ago, and in both instances \u2026 he looks pretty creepy.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n![](\"https:\/\/etrafficlane.com\/newline\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/1569336654_398_039Joker039-Won039t-Play-at-Aurora-CO-Theater-Site-of-2012-Mass-Shooting.jpg\")
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MEGA<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n