In response to the Sony hacking scandal and threats of violence from a North Korean cyber-terrorist group, all five of the nation’s major theater chains have reportedly chosen not to carry the controversial Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy, The Interview. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas, and Cineplex Entertainment have all opted out of showing the film. Yesterday, the group identifying itself as “Guardians of Peace” issued terrorist threats and promised 9/11-style attacks on theaters that continued with plans to play The Interview. In response, Sony canceled a premiere event and offered contracted theaters the right to refuse the movie. Less than 24 hours later, The Interview has been ousted from every major theater chain, which effectively means that for the time being, there are no plans for the film to be released to the general public. Earlier today, there was talk that Sony hoped theaters would pull The Interview , so that the studio could avoid the PR nightmare of a nationwide release, without looking as though it had given into terrorist demands. If that’s the case, then execs got their wish. Now, however, they’re faced with two unattractive options: shelve the film completely and accept a massive financial loss, or find a different, more low-key approach to releasing it, such as a pay-per-view platform. Either way, it’s profoundly bad news for a film that Sony believed in enough to justify some massive risks. 9 Things We Learned From the Sony Hacking Scandal 1. New Ghostbusters Cast Revealed! One email reveals that the studio is hoping to have Jennifer Lawrence, Melissa McCarthy, Emma Stone, and Lizzy Caplan star in the upoming all-female Ghostbusters reboot. Well, “all-female” isn’t quite accurate. The ladies will be joined by an A-list male star, who will apparently need to be dragged to the set kicking and screaming…
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The Interview: Dropped By All Major Theater Chains
