After Further Review ‘The Interview’ Is Back On!

23 Dec, 2014

Last week, Sony canceled the Christmas Day release of “The Interview” in the wake of an extensive hacking attack and release of confidential emails by a group linked with North Korea.

The movie stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as journalists tasked by the CIA with killing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The hackers threatened violence if Sony didn’t pull the movie. Sony did so after major theater chains decided not to screen it.

But the company then wavered in the face of public outcry and criticism from President Barack Obama. On Tuesday, Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said Seth Rogen’s North Korea farce “will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day.”

The film is set to open in over 200 theaters, down from an original release planned in 3,000.

Sony also is continuing its efforts to release the movie in more theaters and through more platforms – namely digital channels, such as Internet streaming or video on demand on cable systems. But Sony isn’t offering specifics. Starz, which has first pay TV and streaming rights to Sony releases, didn’t respond to requests for comment. Streaming service Netflix declined comment, while YouTube didn’t respond to requests.

If anything, the controversy has raised awareness about the movie. Although fewer theaters are showing it, those theaters might be more packed than they would have been otherwise.

AP

Image Xavi Torrent

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