Sony/Cineplex pulls The Interview over threats

(Updated)

Sony Pictures made the decision Wednesday to not release its controversial comedy ‘The Interview’. It came hours after Cineplex and other major movie theatre chains south of the border announced that they wouldn’t screen the film which has a plot that revolves around a journalist assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

It’s all because of threats of 911 type terrorist attacks by hackers that tonight have been connected to North Korea.

Never before has a film’s wide release been cancelled because of a threat of violence against theatres and movie-goers. And tonight, U.S. officials have connected this to North Korea.

‘The Interview’ is off.

Sony Pictures has pulled the plug on the film’s planned Christmas Day release after a group that claimed it hacked Sony threatened moviegoers.

The comedy is about a CIA plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

Hackers calling themselves ‘Guardians of Peace’ said people who saw the movie would suffer a bitter fate saying: “The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September, 2001”

Now U.S. officials are saying the North Korean government is behind this action.

The major theater chains in Canada and the U.S. say they won’t show the movie next week.

Cineplex released a statement saying: “Cineplex takes seriously its commitment to the freedom of artistic expression, but we want to reassure our guests and staff that their safety and security is our number one priority.”

Movie fans say:

“We all know that Kim Jong-un isn’t the most stable of leaders. So I personally believe that the movie itself was a stupid choice.”

“Personally, I think it’s a little bit of an overreaction.”

As for Sony, the company says: “We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”

Jonathan Handle, The Hollywood Reporter: “You’re looking at a loss to Sony of upwards of 50 million dollars in theatrical revenues that otherwise would’ve been received.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says there’s no credible intelligence to indicate a plot against movie theaters.

But the chains didn’t want to take the chance.

The stars of the film — Seth Rogen and James Franco — had already canceled promotional appearances including one on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Neither have released any statements and neither has posted any reaction on Twitter.