The Dark Knight Rises had a record-setting weekend for a 2-D opening film, taking in $160.9 million in its opening weekend.
But few will recall the record setting opening without also recalling the tragic events that took place in Aurora, Colorado early Friday morning.
Warner Brothers held off on giving studio numbers for the film until Monday in the wake of the Friday morning’s events. The studio has also pulled advertising for the film.
Many in Hollywood are waiting to see how the film will do it its second weekend. Many of the screenings for the opening weekend were sold-out in advance.
Analysts call it Hollywood’s first summer blockbuster whose revenues are a side note.
“The money means less than the legacy,” says Jeff Bock of industry trackers Exhibitor Relations. “You’ve seen the entire business essentially shut down out of respect for the families.”
The major studios followed Warner Bros.’ lead this weekend in holding off reporting box office grosses until Monday, a modern-day industry first.
In second place was Ice Age: Continental Drift with $20.4 million. The Amazing Spider-Man was third with $10.8 million. Ted and Brave rounded out the weekend box-office.
Had there been a 3D option, this could have easily made as much if not a little more than Avengers, even considering the shooting. Very impressive.
Had there been a 3D option, I would have gone postal by now. I really hate 3D and when a film is in 3D, they don’t pay attention to the plot at all (like Resident Evil Afterlife).
I’m proud that someone decided not to facilitate blur-o-vision, and besides, when are they going to use those holograms from japan (look it up, they exist).