Sony hack: Christmas release of The Interview cancelled after Regal Cinemas and AMC Theatres bail
Sony Pictures late last night cancelled the 25 December theatrical release of its North Korea comedy The Interview, after major US theatre chains pulled out of showing the film following threats from hackers.
Regal Cinemas and AMC Theatres were among the cinema chains announcing they will not show The Interview as planned, citing security threats by hackers that breached Sony Corp’s computers.
The move is the clearest sign of the widening influence of the hackers who have also leaked Sony documents that drew global headlines, and now have forced a change of plans for a Christmas Day movie release for thousands of screens.
“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 25 December theatrical release,” Sony said in a statement.
The studio said it was “deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company.”