The Interview
Pretty important cultural/geopolitical news out of Hollywood today, where the The Interview’s Christmas Day release to theaters has been canceled in the wake of threats from a hacking group called “Guardians of Peace.” The group threatened to make us “Remember the 11th of September 2001” if the Seth Rogen/James Franco-comedy hit theaters. The nation’s top five movie theater chains–Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas and Cineplex Entertainment–all decided against showing the film because of threats to public safety. Here’s the statement from Sony, via CNN:
“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.”
“Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. … We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie. … We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”
Reuters is reporting that U.S. investigators “have determined that North Korea is behind the cyber attack on Sony Corp’s Hollywood studio.” The Interview was scheduled for release on Christmas Day, with a premiere in New York scheduled (and then canceled) for tonight. People are speculating that the film will eventually be released on-demand.