"Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan on Colo. shooting: "devastating"

(CBS News) The director of "The Dark Knight Rises" released a statement saying that he was devastated someone opened fire during a screening of his movie in Colorado early Friday morning, leaving 12 people dead and dozens injured.

Pictures: "The Dark Knight Rises"
Pictures: The film's New York premiere
Pictures: Colo. police: 12 dead at theater shooting

Nolan, who also directed two other movies in the "Dark Knight" trilogy, said he would like to express "profound sorrow" on behalf of the cast and crew about "the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community."

"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," Nolan said.

"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."

Gary Oldman, who stars in the film, also said his "prayers and deepest sympathies are with the victims of this horrific act, and their families," according to Digital Spy.

Warner Bros., the studio that produced the film, also said it is "deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident."

"We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time," the statement said.

The gunman, who is in custody, has been identified as 24-year-old James Holmes. The attack happened at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., a suburb of Denver, during a midnight screening of the highly anticipated Batman film.

Colo. police: 12 dead in shooting at Batman movie

Warner Bros. has canceled a Paris premiere of the film that was scheduled to take place Friday night, according to the Hollywood Reporter, and has also canceled all French press interviews with director Christopher Nolan and the film's cast.

Chris Dodd, chairman of CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America, joined the movie studio in expressing sympathy on Friday.

"We share the shock and sadness of everyone in the motion picture community at the news of this terrible event," he said in a statement. "We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy."