by Just a week after Sony Pictures acquiesced to Internet hackers and threats allegedly from North Korea to cancel the release of the new Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy, The Interview, the film is back on schedule for a limited Christmas Day release.
President Barack Obama told reporters at his end-of-the-year press conference that he wished Sony had asked him first before deciding to pull the movie in the first place.
The comedy depicts Franco as a TV interviewer and Rogen as his producer, recruited by the CIA to kill North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un under the guise of an exclusive interview.
Today’s official announcement, straight from Sony’s press release:
Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that The Interview will have a limited theatrical release in the United States on Christmas Day.
“We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we’re excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. “At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience.”
“I want to thank our talent on The Interview and our employees, who have worked tirelessly through the many challenges we have all faced over the last month. While we hope this is only the first step of the film’s release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech.”
Reactions from the stars:
The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn’t give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 23, 2014
VICTORY!!!!!!! The PEOPLE and THE PRESIDENT have spoken!!! SONY to release THE INTERVIEW in theaters… https://t.co/0KyZQAB6cf
— James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 23, 2014
You’ll have to check your local cinemas to see if they’re on board with this.
