Sony Pictures scraps Dec. 25 release of 'The Interview'

[WestVirginiaRebel]

Fox News:

LOS ANGELES – Sony Pictures announced Tuesday it had scrapped the Dec. 25 release of "The Interview" after a number of major movie chains announced they would not show the film in the wake of threats from unknown hackers implying the theaters were at risk.

 

Sony released a statement saying, "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."

 

As of Wednesday AMC Entertainment, Regal Cinemas, Cineplex and Cinemark had opted to drop the movie after the hackers issued threats that implied the theaters showing the movie were terror targets. According to TMZ, Bow Tie Cinemas also canceled planned showings of the movie.

 

In its statement, Sony also said the company was "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."

 

It added, "we stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome."

 

The U.S. government reportedly gave the thumbs-up to the ending of the film in which North Korean leader Kim Jung-Un's head blows up.

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Super Happy Fun Surrender?

[Valin]

Guy Benson ‏@guypbenson

 

Dear tech-savvy, violent nutcases: Please enjoy your playbook to stifling "objectionable" speech.

3:11 PM - 17 Dec 2014

[Valin]

@verumserum

I'm sure ISIS and Al Qaeda won't ever try to replicate this success controlling the US marketplace via threats.

 

1:55 PM - 17 Dec 2014

[SrWoodchuck]

 

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