Christopher Nolan is offering condolences to victims and their families following the deadly cinema rampage on Friday morning (July 20) in Denver, Colorado.

The Dark Knight Rises director spoke out about the incident which has so far seen 12 people dead and 59 injured during a midnight screening of the movie in the United States.

He said in a statement: ''I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community.

''I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie.''

He continued: ''I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me.''

Christopher concluded: ''Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families.''

Warner Bros. said it was ''deeply saddened'' about the incident and has cancelled the premiere in Paris, France. Upcoming promotional appearances by the cast have also been paused.

The studio also pulled the violent trailer for period film Gangster Squad, starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, from all future Dark Knight Rises screenings.