Sony Pictures has cancelled the Christmas Day U.S. release of upcoming comedy The Interview in light of the decision by most of the major cinema chains not to screen the film because of security concerns.
The studio is reeling from an epic cyber attack that has exposed embarassing emails between executives, and released several upcoming films to file-sharing sites. The hackers - who call themselves The Guardians of Peace - have subsequently made threats about violent retribution for any cinemas who release the film. In the wake of new developments, Sony has just released the following statement in the U.S.:
“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 theatre-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.”
The comedy about two journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was due to be released in Australia in February.
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