'The Interview' New York Premiere Canceled After Hacker Threat
Sony pictures has confirmed that the new film "The Interview" was forced to postpone its premiere in New York City following threats of a potential terrorist attack by an anonymous hacking group.
The threats came from Guardians of Peace, the self-named hacking group responsible for leaking hundreds of private information, including emails, from Sony files. The group reportedly threatened to carry out a 9/11-style terrorist attack on cinemas in the U.S. that showed the film, a comedy which follows two journalists as they seek to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Theaters also canceled press appearances, as well as appearances by the stars of the film, Seth Rogen and James Franco, on shows that including "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers."
Sony Pictures has reportedly given theaters the option of pulling out of premiering the movie, and although some major exhibitors have, others have said that they still plan to show the film.
"It's unfortunate," Tom Stephenson, CEO of Look Cinemas, told Variety. "If they play it, we'll show it. Sony has a right to make the movie, we have a right to play it and censorship in general is a bad thing."
One major theater, Regal Entertainment, told The Hollywood Reporter that it had decided to delay the premiere of the film.
"Due to the wavering support of the film The Interview by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats, Regal Entertainment Group has decided to delay the opening of the film in our theatres," Regal said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter on Wednesday.
