Movie release cancelled after terror threats from hackers
Sony Pictures has made an official statement regarding the release of THE INTERVIEW after hackers threatened to blow up movie theaters if the movie was released in America next week. The studio has officially scrapped its release plans for America (news on an Irish release to follow). After the terrorist threat major theater chains announced earlier today they would not display the film given the threatening circumstances.
Here’s the statement in full:
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.