In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in Newtown, Connecticut that left 20 first-graders and six adults dead at the hands of a gunman, Paramount has postponed the premiere of their new film Jack Reacher. Jack Reacher stars Tom Cruise as the titular character, who is a former Army Military Police officer working to unravel and solve a case after a sniper kills five people in Pittsburgh. It is that sniper scene in the opening of the movie that has the studio pushing back the film's premiere.
It was supposed to premiere on Saturday, one day after the shooting, but Paramount Pictures said they were postponing it "out of honor and respect for the families of the victims whose lives were senselessly taken. Our hearts go out to all those who lost loved ones."
20th Century Fox also cancelled the red carpet and after-party for Parental Guidance, a new comedy starring Billy Crystal and Bette Midler set to open on Christmas Day. Though the film doesn't have violence like Jack Reacher, the studio released a statement saying: "The hearts of all involved with this film go out to the victims, their families, their community and our entire nation in mourning."
Both studio made the right call here, especially Paramount. I think the last thing people close to Newtown need is the premier of a movie where a sniper is killing people. Good form by both studios here.
You can follow Senior Editor Lance Liebl on Twitter @Lance_GZ. He likes talking sports, video games, movies, and the stupidity of celebrities. Email at [email protected]
[Source: The Guardian]
