A theater full of moviegoers in California were treated to a very unsavory surprise when a “Sausage Party” trailer was played before a recent showing of “Finding Dory.”
For the first minute or so of the promo, “Sausage Party” seems like any other animated kids’ movie: Happy anthropomorphic food, a sparkly soundtrack, you get the picture.
It almost makes sense that it would open for a sweet sequel about a wayward fish.
The problem is, the R-rated “Sausage Party” is DEFINITELY not for kids (did the name give it away?). Once the sunny exposition is over, the audience is treated to graphic human-on-food violence and, if you’re watching the red band trailer, a fat bushel of profanity.
Needless to say, the “Finding Dory” audience at the Brenden Concord 14 in Concord, California was probably not expecting such a jarring (heh) display.
The vice president of operations at Brenden Theatres was quick to offer an apology and an explanation.
“Playing that trailer was a one-time honest mistake by a theater manager moving screens around in effort to accommodate several large last-minute groups wanting to see ‘Dory,'” Eichinger said in a written statement to the East Bay Times. Eichinger also said the trailer was part of a movie reel that was “started by mistake” and the theater would “never schedule something like that” ahead of a children’s feature.
CNN has reached out to Brenden Theatres for comment.
Some seem to be taking the gaffe in stride, though. Seth Rogen, who co-wrote and stars in “Sausage Party,” tweeted about the incident, and an account that appears to belong to Brenden Theatres had a solid response.
The true humor (or horror) of this mix-up can only be appreciated if you’ve actually seen the trailer for “Sausage Party,” which is set to hit U.S. theaters August 12.
Viewer advisory: The version below contains profanity and is weirdly graphic; you’ll never be able to peel a potato again without wincing.
