Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
With major movie chains dropping the new Seth Rogen/James Fraco movie "The Interview" due to terror threats...will it play anywhere at this point?
Maybe Sony should just broadcast it for free so people can watch it at home if they are that intent on it being seen at this point.
I don't think the answer is to give in to threats.
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/13/09
I'm curious why Team America didn't receive any sort of blow-back from North Korea (at least not that I remember). Did Kim Jong Il just have a better sense of humor than his son?
The premiere tonight in NY was cancelled by the theater.
I think North Korea was generally more "stable" at that time. There's been so much talk of internal strife between Kim and the government officials who actually run the country- not to mention Kim's recent absence from the public eye- there's more of a need than usual to appear strong.
I generally agree with the idea that the answer is to give in to threats, but considering what's at stake -- a possible terrorist attack, not to mention a bigger strain on our relationship with North Korea-- I just don't think it's worth releasing the film. After all, it's just some movie, is that really worth risking the lives of people and disrespecting a leader that seems rather unstable? I firmly believe in free speech, and I don't get offended by movies, but I think it'd simply be irresponsible to release it, and frankly I find it irresponsible that it was even made. Can you imagine how the US would react if North Korea made a film about assassinating Obama?
I just saw on the news, they said Sony has cancelled the release of the film.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/08
I have passes for a screening for tomorrow night. I haven't made up my mind if I will go. You never know when you're dealing with crazies.
If Sony has just canceled releasing the film, are they still going to go through with pre-screenings of it?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/08
I'm not sure. I read your response after I posted. I may get an email that it is cancelled.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/08
I just read that the majors including Regal are refusing to show it. The screening was at Regal, so I guess it is cancelled.
Updated On: 12/17/14 at 05:08 PM
This sets a very bad precedent.
Can they do an On Demand release so people can at least watch from their own homes?
I don't see why they wouldn't, but their statement makes no mention of future plans for release.
Hannibal Buress takes down Bill Cosby. Franco and Rogen rile up terrorist threats. What the hell is going on lately?!
The funny thing is the film is probably a dog so all this hoopla for nothing
To the poster who mentioned a terrorist attack. Now anytime anyone does not like the content of a movie all they have to do is threaten. Books could follow and the stage would be the next logical progression . This worked so a few nutjobs will try it for their cause.
"The funny thing is the film is probably a dog so all this hoopla for nothing"
I like how you get crazy about critics disliking shows they actually see, but dismissing movies out of hand that you didn't see is OK? Just trying to figure out the contradictory Roxy rules on things...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
"Can you imagine how the US would react if North Korea made a film about assassinating Obama?"
I think most Americans are smart enough not to take NK seriously. There was already a film made regarding the assassination of a sitting president before (Death of a President). We were not petty and hacked England when that was made.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/10/08
Just received an email informing me that the screening is cancelled.
They canceled more than a screening. Sony Pictures statement:
"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."
Well that stinks. I feel really bad for the people who worked on that movie even though it was never on my list for "December films to watch" in 2014.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/21/06
According to the Feds, it is indeed NK behind the attack
NK Behind Sony Attack
Very disappointing.
Sony should make it available on VOD. And if they're already taking a bath on it, I would love if they made it available for free so many more people would see it.
It would be cool if DirecTV (which I have) released THE INTERVIEW on it's original Christmas Day release on demand.
I'm hoping it's still released somehow, even if not theatrically. I was really looking forward to this one.
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