The Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan has issued the following statement on the theater massacre in Aurora, Colorado earlier today. (Statements from Batman star Christian Bale and Warner Bros., who discuss their plans for the film's release and marketing, follow Nolan's statement.)

"Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community.I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime.The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me.Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families."In a statement, TDKR star Christian Bale said, “Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them.”Warner Bros. immediately canceled the film's Paris premiere in the aftermath of the Aurora shooting, but has quashed rumors that they might yank The Dark Knight Rises from theaters altogether this weekend. “We are not cancelling any screenings or showings of the film,” Warner Bros. spokeswoman Sue Fleischman said. In the meantime, TV spots for the Batman movie have been pulled from the air on NBC, CBS and ESPN.Warners also stated , “Out of respect for the victims and their families, Warner Bros. Pictures will not be reporting box office numbers for The Dark Knight Rises throughout the weekend. Box office numbers will be released on Monday."TDKR co-star Anne Hathaway has also issued a statement on the tragedy: "My heart aches and breaks for the lives taken and altered by this unfathomably senseless act. I am at a loss for words how to express my sorrow. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families."