Joker Will Not Screen at Aurora Theater Where 2012 Shooting Took Place

The Joker will not be playing at the Cinemark Aurora theater where the 2012 Dark Knight Rises mass shooting took place, in a decision made by both the studio and Cinemark, which owns the Century 16, now known as the Century Aurora and XD, per THR.

Family of those killed in the July 20 mass shooting seven years ago signed and sent a letter to Warner Bros. Tuesday morning, sharing concerns about the forthcoming Joker film and asking the studio to donate to groups that aid victims of gun violence.  The film, slated for release on Oct. 4, tells the story of Gotham’s clown prince of terror, a disturbed man who is alienated from society and opts to wreak havoc with various weapons—including guns.

“We are calling on you to be a part of the growing chorus of corporate leaders who understand that they have a social responsibility to keep us all safe,” reads the letter, a copy of which was shared with THR.

Not all families of victims are against the film. Tom Sullivan, whose 27-year-old son Alex was killed in the massacre, tells THR that he does not believe Joker will “jumpstart somebody” to commit acts of violence. “I don’t think that seeing something is the catalyst to, ‘OK, that is what I am going to start to do,’” says Sullivan, now a Democratic state representative in Colorado.

As of Tuesday, there are no showtimes listed for Joker on the Century Aurora and XD website, and an employee told THR that the film will not be showing at the theater.

Warner Bros. has yet to issue a public statement in response to the Aurora families’ open letter, but Deadline reports that one is forthcoming.