NEW Batman film The Dark Knight Rises made an estimated $160m at US and Canadian box offices in its opening weekend, a record for a non 3-D film. But the blockbuster's takings were below industry forecasts made before the mass shooting at a midnight showing of the film in Colorado. Projected figures suggested the film would make an estimated $173m. 12 people were killed and 58 hurt in the attack at a cinema in Aurora. The top two highest-ever openings were both 3-D films - The Avengers with $207m and Harry Potter Part 2 with $169m.
"For this film (Dark Knight) to still be in the rarefied air of the top-three openings of all time is phenomenal, given the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the release of this film," said Paul Dergarabedian, a box office analyst for Hollywood.com. –BBC
Following the shooting, US cinemas tightened security and Warner Bros scaled down its promotional plans.
A premiere in Paris was cancelled, along with personal appearances by the cast and crew in Japan and Mexico.
"My heart aches and breaks for the lives taken and altered by this unfathomably senseless act," Hathaway said in a statement.
"I am at a loss for words how to express my sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."
The third and final film in director Christopher Nolan's Batman series stars Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway. It cost Warner Bros $250m (£161m) to make.
Studios including Sony, Fox, Disney, Paramount and Warner Bros publicly withdrew their usual official revenue reports out of respect for the victims and their families, but sources gave details of the takings to media outlets.
Last week's number one, Ice Age: Continental Drift, dropped to second place, with The Amazing Spider-Man in third.
Seth MacFarlane's R-rated comedy Ted, starring Mark Wahlberg opposite a foul-mouthed CGI teddy bear, is in fourth spot, while Disney animation Brave is at number five. BBC