Sony cancels release of the movie: The Interview

Sony Pictures has cancelled the Christmas release of a film at the centre of a hacking scandal after terrorist threats to cinemagoers and a decision by major movie theatre groups to cancel screenings in the US.

Guardians of Peace (GOP), as they have chosen to call themselves, published an online message on Tuesday, Dec. 16 warning cinema goers and movie enthusiasts to stay away from screenings of the Movie, The Interview, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, which depicts the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

GOP claimed responsibility for a huge hack on Sony’s computer systems in November, which led to the release of thousands of confidential documents revealing executive pay structure, corporate profits, unreleased films, personal email correspondence and employee social security numbers.

“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 theatergoers,” Sony Pictures said in a statement.

North Korea has denied responsibility for the attack, but said it could be “a righteous deed of the supporters and sympathisers” of the country.