Sony Pictures has canceled plans to release "The Interview" on Christmas Day. A full statement from the studio is below:
Sony's decision caps a whirlwind day, which saw the nation's five biggest theater chains cancel plans to screen "The Interview" on Dec. 25. Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Cineplex Entertainment and Carmike Cinemas pulled the comedy following a terror threat made Tuesday by hackers who had attacked Sony Pictures.
"We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places 'The Interview' be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to," a note published Tuesday read. Officials for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security noted that they were aware of the threats, but an unnamed Homeland Security representative told The Huffington Post "there is no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters within the United States."
According to Variety, Sony executives had discussed releasing "The Interview" via on-demand services. The studio, however, had no comment on possible future release plans beyond its statement.
This is a developing story ...
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.
Sony's decision caps a whirlwind day, which saw the nation's five biggest theater chains cancel plans to screen "The Interview" on Dec. 25. Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Cineplex Entertainment and Carmike Cinemas pulled the comedy following a terror threat made Tuesday by hackers who had attacked Sony Pictures.
"We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places 'The Interview' be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to," a note published Tuesday read. Officials for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security noted that they were aware of the threats, but an unnamed Homeland Security representative told The Huffington Post "there is no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters within the United States."
According to Variety, Sony executives had discussed releasing "The Interview" via on-demand services. The studio, however, had no comment on possible future release plans beyond its statement.
This is a developing story ...