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Will Warner Delay or Re-Cut 'Gangster Squad' in Wake of the Aurora Tragedy?

By: Sean OConnell on July 23, 2012 at 1:26PM Comments (5)

In the Gangster Squad trailer, Josh Brolin, playing a chiseled L.A. cop from the 1940s, chases a band of thugs into a movie theater. As he approaches the front of the room, the criminals begin shooting from behind the large movie screen, emerging from tears in the material to pump bullets into the crowd. 

It was a shocking and original image … and now, in light of the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, an insensitive one as well. Warner Bros. immediately began pulling trailers from theaters. That was a wise move. These next cautionary steps regarding Gangster Squad have to be considered, though. Here’s what Warner is contemplating. 
 
 
The film reportedly will maintain its Sept. 7 release date … for now. But the scene in question, according to Variety, will be reshot. We’re not sure where the scene factored in to the finished product, but we’re hearing it was a significant sequence that will have to be reworked in order to maintain the flow of the story. Hitfix also reported that the movie had tested with preview audiences, and studio executives were happy with the result. This changes everything. 
 
Gangster Squad co-stars Ryan Gosling, Michael Peña and Anthony Mackie as cops on Brolin’s team ordered to take down a mob boss played by Sean Penn. In light of last Friday’s shooting, Warner is reacting to the tragedy. They are making decisions to alter their film for what appear to be the right reasons. At this moment, it’s the right move. 
 
But are drastic cuts necessary? The decision to reshoot this seemingly consequential scene could damage a film that has nothing to do with the whims of a potential criminal. Years from now, when people sit down to watch Gangster Squad, will they associate it with Aurora? Or is it just unfortunate timing for a movie that’s based on criminal activity? Tell us what you think. Does Warner have to go so far as to rework a period film because of what happened in Colorado?
 

Follow along on Twitter @Sean_OConnell and @Fandango. 

 

Tags: Gangster Squad

Comments (5)Leave a Comment

  • Jul 24th 2012 1:03PM

    spexx23  said...

    I can understand a need for sensitivity to real-life events in this situation, but I think options other than changing the scene should be considered. Did we cancel the Hurt Locker because soldiers have been blown up by mines in Afghanistan? Destroy all copies of Independence Day because it shows national landmarks being destroyed? Shut down NASA because a few acid spewing aliens attacked some of our galactic outposts? Time heals all wounds, so delaying the release might be the best bet.

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  • Jul 26th 2012 9:31AM

    Lisbeth S  said...

    Right on!

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  • Jul 23rd 2012 9:38PM

    100002042761123  said...

    Don't change a movie 5 weeks from its release!

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  • Jul 23rd 2012 4:53PM

    men9mar  said...

    Bad timing for sure. Its the directors vision and part of the story so they should leave it in

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  • Jul 23rd 2012 4:33PM

    SciFiFantasyActionFan  said...

    Just throw the scene onto the DVD when it comes out.

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