It appears that this is the end for the James Franco and Seth Rogen political satire The Interview. After hackers threatened a 9/11-style attack on any theater that shows the film on December 25, major theater chains pulled the film from their showings and Sony cancelled the release date.
While many had hoped the studio would opt for a VOD release or just patiently wait for things to cool down, Sony may have already pulled the plug on those ideas as well, meaning The Interview will probably never see the light of day. Sources say that “Sony Pictures has no further release plans for the film.”
The move doesn’t come as a complete surprise. With theaters pulling the film from their showings, who is to say those same threats would not be made against VOD providers. Some have suggested that the film be released exclusively on Sony’s PlayStation Network, but even that was hacked by the same group who infiltrated Sony’s computer network.
According to Deadline, on December 16 Sony had told exhibitors that it was up to them whether or not to show The Interview. The gravity of the situation as caught the attention of NATO. The international organization backs Sony’s decision to delay the release of the film to ensure audiences have “a safe holiday movie season.”
Meanwhile, U.S. intelligence confirms that North Korea are behind the attacks on Sony.
[Source: Deadline]
What a pathetic bunch of cowards we’ve become; our freedom of speech is gone. If we can’t satire our enemies we may as well bow to them, because clearly we’re afraid. I really want to see The Interview and I know of several others who do as well. This is very disappointing. Very disappointing. I hope the release it in some form and realize how weak this kind of move makes the U.S. look.
Comment by UNCARING1 — December 18, 2014 @ 3:44 pm