The premiere of Seth Rogen and James Franco’s comedy “The Interview” in New York has been canceled after the Sony hackers threatened a 9/11-style attack on theaters showing the film.
In a message emailed to media, which included the latest leaks of employee emails, the North Korean-backed hackers who call themselves “Guardians of Peace” threatened an “11th of September”-style attack on movie theaters showing an upcoming film “The Interview” starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, which is a comedy that pokes fun at North Korea’s communist dictatorship.
“Warning…We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places “The Interview” be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to,” reads the message. “Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made. The world will be full of fear.”
As a result, the Georgia-based Carmike Cinemas, which operates 278 theaters across the country, canceled showings of the movie in its theaters as well. The company is the fourth largest cinema chain in the nation behind Regal, AMC, and Cinemark, none of whom commented on their plans for “The Interview” showings.
“Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time,” the message added. “(If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.) Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment. All the world will denounce the SONY.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment (NYSE:SNE) told theater owners on Tuesday that it would be supportive of their individual decisions on whether or not to show the film, which is still set for a Christmas release.
The Department of Homeland Security has said that there is no credible intelligence to indicate a threat, but is still investigating the message.
The movie portrays Rogen and Franco as spies set to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, who ends up dying in a gruesome assassination, which was also toned down due to the threats.
