the industry

Universal Offers to Reimburse Theaters for Extra ‘Security’ for Straight Outta Compton

Security alert. Photo: Universal Pictures

Universal Pictures is offering reimbursements to theaters that use extra security for the opening weekend of the N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton, The Wall Street Journal reports. Meanwhile, the studio is attempting to distance itself from the racist implications of such a move. A Universal spokesperson told Variety that the studio was “proud of [their] association†with the film, and that they’re just following the theaters’ lead: “The studio has not solicited enhanced security for theaters who will begin showing it this weekend, but has partnered with those exhibitors who have requested support for their locations.â€Â According to WSJ, the reason theater operators gave for this “extra precaution†was “recent events.†(What does “recent events†mean? Well, it could be, as WSJ and Variety speculate, growing fear over theater shootings, or concern following racial unrest in Ferguson. Or “recent events,†in this case, could mean “we’re racist.â€) Also, for what it’s worth, both WSJ and Variety report that security was unusually “heavy†during the film’s premiere Monday night in Los Angeles. 

Studio to Pay for Extra ‘Security’ for Compton