Please fill in the blanks with SOME of the following connectors
- Although
- Anyway
- Because
- But
- Due to the fact that
- However
- Since
- So
- Therefore
(Reuters) - ……………………………………"The Dark Knight Rises" recorded strong ticket sales in its opening weekend, they were below forecasts given by many in Hollywood, ………………………………. some moviegoers appeared to have stayed away after a shooting rampage at a midnight showing of the film on Friday.
The film grossed an estimated $162 million in showings through Sunday in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters, according to studio estimates from people with knowledge of the data. …………………………….., that was lower than the $173 million that had been projected on Saturday based on Friday receipts.
"The Dark Knight Rises" was one of the most-anticipated films of the year before a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora, Colorado, early Friday, killing 12 and wounding 58 more.
Before the shooting, box office forecasters had predicted sales in a range of $170 million to $198 million from Friday through Sunday.
A spokeswoman for Warner Brothers, which produced "Dark Knight," had no comment.
Official figures were not released by movie studios …………………………………………….. the companies withheld weekend results in deference for the shooting victims. Full results are expected on Monday.
"The cable news networks were wall-to-wall with the shooting, ………………………………………….. it had some shock value that will keep people away," former Columbia Pictures marketing chief Peter Sealey said. "………………………………………, it will be short-term. This movie will play for five or six weeks and still do great business."
After the shooting, theaters tightened security, and Warner Bros. scaled back promotional plans, calling off a Paris premiere and appearances by the cast and crew in Mexico and Japan.
(a) in its opening weekend
(b) after a shooting rampage
(c) $162 million
(d) in U.S. and Canadian movie theaters,
(e) Aurora, Colorado
(f) 12
(g) in deference for the shooting victims
(h) on Monday
(i) for five or six weeks
(j) tightened security
(k) a Paris premiere and appearances by the cast and crew in Mexico and Japan.
adapted from Reuters
