Warner Bros. Donating Some Proceeds to Aurora Victims After 'Dark Knight Rises' Shooting
Warner Bros. film The Dark Knight Rises has found itself at the center of a horrific mass shooting, and the movie studio is planning to donate a sum of the film's proceeds to the Aurora victims and their families, according to sources at The Hollywood Reporter.
Though the exact amount of the donation won't be publically released, The Hollywood Reporter is claiming that it will be substantial. Colorodo Governor, John Hickenlooper has apparently been in touch with Warner Bros. as the studio plans to donate a sizable amount of money to GivingFirst.org, where several non-profit organization in the Aurora area are accepting donations to fund their services for Aurora shooting victims.
On the GivingFirst.org page Support Victims and Families of the Aurora Movie Theater Shooting, the donations website expresses deep sadness over the terrible incident at The Dark Knight Rises midnight showing in Aurora. On that page, you can find organizations offering direct support to those affected, and encourage your support.
It wasn't specified which organizations Warner Bros. would be donating to from the list, but the services offered are vast. The Community First Foundation, Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network, Aurora Mental Health Center, Bonfils Blood Center Foundation, Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance and several other help centers are available to take funds from generous donors.
The plans of the major movie studio don't just stop at the proceeds. Warner Bros. CEO Barry Meyer will reportedly be contacting all of the studio employees and encouraging them to offer aid to these non-profit organizations on their own.
GivingFirst.org will also be accepting donations from anyone who wishes to assist victims of the shooting. There is a detailed description of what each organization offers the people in need.
It is unknown whether Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan will be donating to these charities. Nolan did, however, release a statement on behalf of himself, and the cast and crew, saying, 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.
If the sum of money sent given to these non-profits is related to the total gross of The Dark Knight Rises, Warner Bros. is looking to give a profuse amount. The Dark Knight Rises had the highest grossing opening weekend for a 2D film with $160.9 million, even besting its predecessor The Dark Knight which had an opening weekend of $158.4 million, according to Box Office Mojo.
This all comes as a result of a mass shooting at the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colo. Suspect in custody, James Holmes supposedly entered the theater wearing a gas mask and opened fire on the audience, killing twelve people and injuring 38.
Holmes has made even more headlines since his arrest as more about the individual becomes available. Upon his arrest he told police offers that he was TheJoker, the arch nemesis of Batman, and he appeared in court with died orange hair and a blank, glazed look over his face.
Formal charges won't be placed against Holmes until July 30th, according to the LA Times. The next step before the arraignment will be to judge whether or not Holmes is competent enough to stand trial.
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