After several theater chains decided against showing the comedy “The Interview,” Sony Pictures has decided not to release the film, The film was scheduled to open Dec. 25.
The decision followed threats by an unknown group that hacked into the computers of Sony Pictures in retaliation for the film. They also threatened acts of 9-11 type violence if Sony released the film.
“The Interview,” a comedy with James Franco and Seth Rogen, portrays the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
Sony’s announcement came after a long day of developments the Regal, AMC, Cinemark, Cineplex and Carmike theater chains announcing they would not play the film. They are the top five movie chains in North American representing as many as 40,000 screens. Variety reported Sony us considering releasing the film on Video on Demand (VOD).
It was also reported Wednesday that in the wake of the Sony hack production of a Steve Carrell movie about North Korea has been cancelled.
The Sony statement about its decision not to release “The Interview” read in part:
“In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release. We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.
“Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like.”
“We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”
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