'Django' premiere canceled in wake of school shooting

NEW YORK, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The Weinstein Co. says it has canceled its Los Angeles premiere of Quentin Tarantino's blood-soaked period picture "Django Unchained."

The studio said the decision was made out of respect for the victims of last Friday's school shooting in Newtown, Conn., which left 20 children, six adults and the shooter dead.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the tragedy in Newtown, Conn., and in this time of national mourning we have decided to forgo our scheduled event," a spokesperson for The Weinstein Co. told USA Today Monday. "However, we will be holding a private screening for the cast and crew and their friends and families."

Set in the American South in the 19th century, the film stars Jamie Foxx, Kerry Washington, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Johnson, Walton Goggins, Jonah Hill and Leonardo DiCaprio. The Los Angeles premiere was to take place Tuesday.

It is to open in theaters nationwide Dec. 25.

Tarantino's other movies include "Reservoir Dogs," "Pulp Fiction," "Kill Bill" and "Inglourious Basterds."