Sony Pulls The Interview’s Theatrical Release After Hacker Threats: “We Are Deeply Saddened”

von Natalie Finn |  Natalie Finn 17. Dezember 2014 – 14:18

The Interview has been canceled.

Sony Pictures has pulled the plug on the film’s theatrical release, just hours after the five major theater chains opted out of screening The Interview as originally scheduled starting on Christmas Day due to threats of some sort of major disruption at the hands of the hackers responsible for the Sony data breach.

“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,” the studio said in a statement obtained by NBC News. “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.”

The decision comes as reports swirl that Sony is considering a video-on-demand release instead.

Breaking news, mnore to come…

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