Sony Pictures Cancels The Interview Amid Terrorist Threats
The film is about a fictional assassination attempt on Kim Jong-un
Sony Pictures has cancelled the American release of James Franco and Seth Rogan’s new movie The Interview amidst terrorist threats.
The movie stars Rogan and Franco as journalists on a secret mission from the CIA to assassinate controversial North Korean supreme leader Kim Jong-un.
Back in June, North Korea threatened “merciless action” against the US and Columbia Picture ahead of the film’s release.
Then late last month computer systems of parent company Sony Pictures Entertainment were hacked with the perpetrators leaking personal emails, stealing data and obtaining covert film scripts such as James Bond.
! Seth Rogan and James Franco at the muted Los Angeles premiere
The anonymous group called Guardians of Peace then demanded the movie to be removed from cinemas and threatened cinemas playing it.
They said on Tuesday: "Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment."
After a series of American movie chains pulled the movie, last night Sony released a statement confirming they’re pulling the Christmas Day release altogether.
The dejected statement reads: "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.
! A still from the movie (Photo: Sony Pictures)
"We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatre-goers.
"We stand by our film makers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome."
In light of the cancellation, several high profile actors as well as President Obama have commented on the issue.
The President recommended that people can still go to the movies but warned that threats like those on The Interview are “very serious.”
He told ABC: "We'll be vigilant - if we see something that we think is serious and credible, then we'll alert the public."