Universal Pictures has offered to reimburse costs for additional security to theaters screening the N.W.A. rap group film Straight Outta Compton this weekend.
In a statement, Universal said it would “partner” with theaters to provide additional security, but sources confirmed to Variety that Universal would reimburse theaters directly for the added cost, at least in part.
“Universal is proud of our association with Straight Outta Compton, which portrays the rise of five talented young men from underprivileged and oppressed backgrounds into one of the most influential music groups in modern history,” the company said in a statement. “The film has been seen by thousands of people at hundreds of screenings, all of which have happened without incident. 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.”
News of Universal’s security partnership with theaters comes just a few days after the LAPD tripled security at the film’s downtown Los Angeles premiere.
It also comes amid heightened security concerns at theaters; last month, a gunman killed two people and himself and injured nine others during a screening of the film Trainwreck in a Lafayette, Louisiana movie theater.
Straight Outta Compton, which chronicles the rise and fall of the seminal rap group NWA, opens in 2,751 theaters this weekend. Deadline reports that the film is tracking strongly and could see a $40-$50 million opening weekend if estimates hold.