Sony Pictures pulls controversial “The Interview” from theatrical release
“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.”
— From a statment issued by Sony pictures regarding the Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy, The Interview, which parodied North Korean leader Kim Jung-un (Randall Park). In the film, Rogen and Franco portray a pair of bungling filmmakers tasked by the CIA to assassinate the South Korean leader. Several film distributors today announced that they would not carry the film in light of threats from an organization calling itself the “Guardians of Peace.” Critic’s screenings of the film, including one in Washington, D.C., were abruptly cancelled earlier today.
Sony goes on to say in its statement thatit “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.”
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