Despite Seth Rogen's heartfelt thank you to Sony's head, Amy Pascal, before "The Interview" premiere got cancelled, it looks like the movie company finally succumbed to the cyber threats sent their way.
"Before we start this, honestly we just want to thank Amy Pascal for having the balls to make this movie," Seth Rogen reportedly said during "The Interview" premiere in LA. It became the first and only screening of the controversial movie about a pair of journalist hired by the CIA to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un.
After another threat, however, Sony released a statement on Wednesday regarding the Seth Rogen comedy.
"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," Sony said.
The company added, "We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers."
Major cinema chains started bowing out of the movie's screening on Tuesday, after a group of North Korean hackers sent terroristic threats to movie-goers.
"Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made. The world will be full of fear," the group posted just this week. "Remember the 11th of September 2001."
According to USA Today, a federal law enforcement official confirmed that North Korea was behind the recent Sony hacking issue. The secretive company had earlier denied the claim.
The re-showing of Paramount's "Team America" as also greatly affected after Sony's decision regarding "The Interview" premiere was released.
"What a crazy week! Sorry folks no Team America," Tim League , founder of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema posted on Twitter.
"Team America" was re-released by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to celebrate the film's 10-year anniversary in July. Cinemas had promised to show it instead of "The Interview," but that plan also fell through.
Will the hacking threat affect all future movies about North Korea?
Celebrities shared their sentiments over the issue. 'Game Of Thrones' author George RR Martin called the move "corporate cowardice."
"These gigantic corporations, most of which could buy North Korea with pocket change, are declining to show a film because Kim Jong-Un objects to being mocked?" he asked in his LiveJournal blog post.
Do you think Sony and Hollywood's decision to have "The Interview" premiere cancelled was right?
