Sony Pictures Entertainment now officially have a headache over THE INTERVIEW. The Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy about an assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un fuelled a major cyber-attack on the studio, leading to private e-mails and personal information being splashed across the media. Attack threats followed on cinemas that screen the movie. The LA premiere was noticeable for the stars remaining tight-lipped, with no questions from journalists allowed. Rogen and Franco withdrew from various appearances. And now what could be seen as the killer blow has been struck – the Carmike Theater Chain, that controls 274 properties, many of which are based in shopping malls, have pulled the film from its Christmas Day slot. Reportedly the mall owners are behind the move, with many expressing their concerns over potential violence.
Other chains are yet to make a decision, though Landmark Theaters just cancelled the New York premiere, due to have been held at the Sunshine Cinema tomorrow. Sony face abandoning the release altogether, burning a possible $100 million-shaped hole in their finances. Quite how the unprecedented situation is going to be handled is anyone’s guess, but this is one high profile comedy that may go down in Hollywood history for all the wrong reasons.
Source: TheWrap
UPDATE: After further withdrawals from exhibitors Sony have pulled the plug on the film, releasing the following statement:
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.
Source: Deadline
