newsmakers

newsmakers

Lamb of God cancels upcoming tour

RICHMOND, Va.

Heavy-metal band Lamb of God has canceled its upcoming tour — including an Aug. 23 show at State AE in Pittsburgh — because the group’s singer remains jailed in the Czech Republic.

Randy Blythe, 41, was detained June 27 in the death of a fan at a 2010 Lamb of God concert in Prague. He remains jailed, despite paying $400,000 bail after prosecutors challenged his release. A judge is expected to rule on the challenge soon.

The Richmond, Va.-based band was nominated for a Grammy in 2007 for best metal performance for the song “Redneck.” The group said on its website that it’s canceling its tour that was scheduled to start next Wednesday in Seattle because of uncertainty surrounding Blythe’s release.

Refunds will be available for fans who have purchased tickets.

Studio delays gangster movie

NEW YORK

Warner Bros. has moved the release of “Gangster Squad” to January after the film’s climactic cinema shoot-out scene drew comparisons to the Aurora, Colo., shooting.

“Gangster Squad” chronicles a bloody 1940s battle between Los Angeles police and mobsters. It culminates in a scene where gangsters shoot automatic weapons into a crowded movie theater from behind the screen.

The film is expected to be reshot and edited. A spokesman for Warner Bros. declined to comment on how the film would be altered.

“Gangster Squad” had been planned for a Sept. 7 release. The postponement means “Gangster Squad” won’t be eligible for Academy Awards consideration this year, shifting from a plum fall release to a month often considered a dumping ground.

It’s a blow for an anticipated movie with a starry cast.

Directed by Ruben Fleischer, it stars Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Josh Brolin.

Vindicator wire services