As the release date of Joker draws nearer and nearer, more than 50 cinemas across the US have banned clown costumes.
The DC Comics movie, which stars Joaquin Phoenix as the titular role (aka Arthur Fleck), has already attracted criticism for its violent scenes, and from victims of the Aurora shooting in 2012.
12 people were killed and 70 left injured after a gunman, dressed as Joker, fired open at a cinema in Aurora, Colorado, who were watching a midnight screening of fellow DC movie The Dark Knight Rises.
Families of the victims since wrote an open letter to film distributor Warner Bros., calling for them to take action against gun violence.
As a result, Landmark Theaters, the US’ largest independent cinema chain, has since extended its ban on customers and employees from wearing face masks and carrying toy weapons during the film’s theatrical run.
‘I want customers to be comfortable in their surroundings,’ Landmark president-CEO Ted Mundorff told The Hollywood Reporter.
However, the FBI has not alerted the National Association of Theatre Owners of any threats regarding the film’s run in cinemas.
‘While our standard practice is to not comment on specific intelligence products, the FBI is in touch with our law enforcement and private sector partners about the online posts,’ FBI spokeswoman Ann Parrillo statement.
‘As always, we encourage the public to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious activity to law enforcement.’
Fellow US cinema chain Regal Cinemas also stated that while safety is a concern, they ‘do not believe the content or the existence of any movie is a cause or a signal for violence’.
‘Nevertheless, although we do not comment on security protocols implemented by our theatres at any time, patron and employee safety is our foremost concern,’ they added.
‘In collaboration with NATO, we are in regular contact year-round with law enforcement so we have information to help make whatever security assessments they deem appropriate at times.’
Joker is set to be released in cinemas on 4 October.
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