Public premiere of ‘Django Unchained’ cancelled in the wake of Newton shooting

Quentin Tarantino’s latest film “Django Unchained,” a violent spaghetti Western story, will be replacing its scheduled red carpet premiere with a private screening devoid of media coverage.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the tragedy in Newtown, CT and in this time of national mourning we have decided to forgo our scheduled event. However, we will be holding a private screening for the cast and crew and their friends and families,” said a spokesperson for The Weinstein Company. The film, which stars Jamie Foxx as a slave turned bounty hunter, possesses much of the violence and bloodshed that has become characteristic of Tarantino’s films. Actors and production team members however, largely dismissed the idea that a film like “Django” motivates violence in real life.

“I just think, you know, there’s violence in the world, tragedies happen, blame the playmakers,” said Tarantino. “It’s a western. Give me a break.”

“I don’t think movies or video games have anything to do with it [shootings],” said Django co-star Samuel Jackson “I grew up in the South with guns everywhere and we never shot anyone,” he added. “This [shooting] is about people who aren’t taught the value of life.”