The city will be filled with costumed cos-players for Comic Con next week — except at screenings for the new “Joker” film.
Many cinemas in New York and around the country are banning moviegoers from attending showings of the new Joaquin Phoenix flick amid fears that the movie could incite mass shootings by crazed “incels.”
AMC and Landmark Theaters have confirmed that anyone dressed as the “Batman”-universe villain will be turned away from the film, which opens Oct. 4.
That is also the second day that fans — many in fantasy and sci-fi inspired costumes — will be flocking to New York for Comic Con at the Jacob Javits Center.
Regal said that while no individual movie “is a cause or a signal for violence,” staff at some of its New York cinemas told The Post that masks and face paint will be banned, with some extra security on hand.
The extra steps come amid heightened fears of violence, as the FBI has reported identified online threats by “incel” extremists — who idolize the angry loner character of the “Joker.”
The NYPD has not put any special measures in place because “no specific and credible threats” have been received, a spokesperson said.
“These events will continue to be closely monitored. Any additional personnel will be deployed as needed,” the spokesperson added.
However, many cinemas are not taking chances by letting in anyone too clearly obsessed by the violent clown from the Batman series” — an angry loner who turns to violence after too much rejection.
AMC said guests may wear costumes, but not “masks, face paint or any object that conceals the face” and no weapons or “items that would make other guests feel uncomfortable,” according to a statement given to TheWrap.
“The safety of our guests and associates is AMC’s top priority,” AMC said.
Landmark CEO Ted Mundorff also told TheWrap that “we are not allowing costumes, face painting or masks by either our employees or guests.”
Regal refused to discuss specific security steps, but told the site, “Patron and employee safety is our foremost concern.”
“Joker” makers Warner Bros. defended the movie, saying that “one of the functions of storytelling is to provoke difficult conversations around complex issues.”
“Make no mistake: neither the fictional character Joker, nor the film, is an endorsement of real-world violence of any kind,” the company said in a statement.