sony has decided to drop its planned Christmas release of 'The Interview.'
The decision comes after some of the nation's largest movie theater chains including Regal, Carmike and Cineplex are holding back or dropping 'The Interview' from screens in the aftermath of a hack that has ballooned from embarrassing disclosures for Sony Pictures executives to involve threats against theaters screening the film.
"Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business," Sony said in a statement on Wednesday. "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."
The Regal Entertainment Group said in a statement on Wednesday that it had decided to delay showing the movie starring James Franco and Seth Rogen "due to the wavering support of the film ... by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats."
In its own statement, Cineplex said it "takes seriously its commitment to the freedom of artistic expression," but was holding back on showing the movie "after careful consideration of this unprecedented and complex situation."
Sony Cancels 'Interview' Release After Top Theater Chains Drop Out - NBC News
The decision comes after some of the nation's largest movie theater chains including Regal, Carmike and Cineplex are holding back or dropping 'The Interview' from screens in the aftermath of a hack that has ballooned from embarrassing disclosures for Sony Pictures executives to involve threats against theaters screening the film.
"Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business," Sony said in a statement on Wednesday. "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."
The Regal Entertainment Group said in a statement on Wednesday that it had decided to delay showing the movie starring James Franco and Seth Rogen "due to the wavering support of the film ... by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats."
In its own statement, Cineplex said it "takes seriously its commitment to the freedom of artistic expression," but was holding back on showing the movie "after careful consideration of this unprecedented and complex situation."
Sony Cancels 'Interview' Release After Top Theater Chains Drop Out - NBC News
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