Aurora Movie Theater Will Not Show New 'Joker' Film
Families affected by the Aurora theater shooting recently wrote a letter to Warner Bros. expressing their concerns about the new movie. Specifically, the letter calls on the studio to end political contributions to candidates who take money from the NRA and vote against gun reform, actively lobby for gun reform and make contributions to groups that support survivors and aim to reduce gun violence.
CBS News has learned authorities are concerned about the film's plot inspiring someone to commit a mass shooting.
RELATED: FBI issues nationwide shooting warning over "Joker" film
In a statement, Warner Bros. studio acknowledged that gun violence is "a critical issue" and said the company "has a long history of donating to victims of violence, including Aurora, and in recent weeks, our parent company joined other business leaders to call on policymakers to enact bi-partisan legislation to address this epidemic."
Since its premiere on the film festival circuit, "Joker" has found itself on the defense against those who criticize its violent imagery and are concerned it could fuel violent behavior.
In a recent interview with IGN, star Joaquin Phoenix admitted it was "uncomfortable" to think about, but, "I think we all are aware of these issues and we're concerned, and I think that's why we talk about it. I don't think that we can be afraid to talk about it." (Phoenix later walked out of another interview when confronted by a similar question, according to a journalist from the Telegraph.)
Director Todd Phillips has also said that the film is, in his view, "about a lack of love, childhood trauma, lack of compassion in the world," according to IGN.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. CNN contributed to this report.)
