Sony Pulls The Interview After AMC, Regal and Others Back Out of Christmas Day Release (UPDATED)
UPDATED: In a unprecedented move, Sony has made the decision to cancel the Christmas release of The Interview after major theater chains announced they would not release the movie in their theaters. In a statement, Sony executives cited the unprecented criminal assault against their company, referring to the hacked emails and documents that have been reported throughout the media this week. The full statement is reprinted below.
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.
Earlier today, it was announced that several movie theater chains were declining to show the film in their theaters.
After threats were made against any theaters who show the film “The Interview“, The Hollywood Reporter says five top theater chains have decided not to open Seth Rogen’s “The Interview” as planned in theaters on Christmas Day. So far, Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas and Cineplex Entertainment have all given in to the terroristic threats and pulled the movie. Sony is still going forward with the release, but has indicated that they will not hold theater chains to their commitments to show the film.
It’s a surprising move, considering that American companies are not used to closing down commerce in the face of terroristic threats. Even post 9-11 threats to shopping malls and theaters resulted in increased security, but no shut downs.
The film screened last Monday, December 8 for a with no trouble at the Oriental theater in Denver (unless you count a decision changing it from being a cannibas-friendly screening to a tequila shots screening as trouble). But the rest of the country may have trouble finding a place to watch the film, since the five companies that have pulled the roll out, are five of the largest movie chains in the country. In fact Deadline.com is predicting that the film is dead.
Theaters in the UK are not commenting on whether they will go ahead with their release.
