Update: "The Interview" will be Released in Select Theaters and VOD Platforms - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 12-17-2014, 08:15 PM

Sony Cancels Theatrical Release for The Interview on Christmas
by Brent Lang
12/17/14

With theater chains defecting en masse, Sony Pictures Entertainment has pulled the planned Christmas Day release of The Interview.

In announcing the decision to cancel the holiday debut, Sony hit back at the hackers who threatened movie theaters and moviegoers and who have terrorized the studio and its employees for weeks.

“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,” the statement reads.

“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,” it continues. “We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”

The studio did not say it would never release the picture theatrically. Insiders tell Variety that Sony is exploring all options, including offering the picture on premium video-on-demand as a way to recoup at least some of its investment.

The comedy centers on a hapless television host who is recruited to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. The country has condemned the film and some cyber-security experts believe that it played a role in the hacking attack on the studio. North Korea has denied involvement in the attacks.

Seth Rogen and James Franco star in the picture, which cost $42 million to produce.

Sony has been reeling for weeks since hackers broke into the studio’s computer system in November and stole internal documents, email messages, film budgets, spreadsheets detailing top executive salaries and the social security numbers of thousands of employees. The documents and records were subsequently leaked online, setting off a firestorm of media coverage.

Tuesday’s message accompanied another data dump. It threatened violence on theaters that showed The Interview and people who attend screenings.

“The world will be full of fear,” the message reads. “Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. (If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)”

In response, exhibition industry lobbying arm the National Association of Theatre Owners said its members must decide individually whether to release the picture and Sony said it would respect theater owners’ decision not to exhibit The Interview. That set off a cascade of cancellations.

The bulk of the country’s 10 largest theater chains — a group that includes AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Carmike and Southern Theatres — announced they would delay showing the picture or would drop it altogether. In statements, many of the theater chains suggested that Sony’s lack of confidence in the film prompted their decision.

Regal, for instance, said its decision was “due to the wavering support of the film ‘The Interview’ by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats.”

Sony was more conciliatory even as it said exhibitor defections motivated its decision.

“We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatergoers,” the studio’s statement read.

Bruce Nash, founder of box office site TheNumbers, said that Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for moviegoing and is particularly strong for family films. Any perceived danger or threat might have depressed ticket sales.

“It was never going to be one of the big films of Christmas and clearly chains are going to be concerned about making sure people feel comfortable bringing their children to ‘Annie,’ ‘Into the Woods’ or ‘Night at the Museum,” said Nash.

http://variety.com/2014/film/news/so...as-1201382032/

Vahan · 12-17-2014, 11:14 PM

The day the bullies in North Korea renounce Communism is the day sanity is restored to this world.

Dr. Thong · 12-18-2014, 05:27 PM

This is pretty gutless on Sony's part. This sets a dangerous precedent.

Mr. Television · 12-18-2014, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

This is pretty gutless on Sony's part. This sets a dangerous precedent.

I agree. Now they know they can get away with it.

irehtman · 12-21-2014, 07:01 AM

Does this mean that The Hobbit conclusion ends up #1 or what?

JamesG · 12-23-2014, 05:09 PM

The Interview to be Released in Select Theaters and VOD After All
Dec 23, 2014
by Sadie Gennis

After being publicly criticized by President Obama, Sony has decided to release The Interview after all. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy will be released simultaneously in select theaters and video on demand 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," Sony CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement. "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," the statement continued. "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."

The full list of participating theaters has yet to be revealed, but The Plaza Theater in Atlanta and The Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas-Fort Worth have both announced they plan on screening the controversial comedy.

"Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory," The Alamo Drafthouse's founder Tim League tweeted Tuesday morning.

The Plaza announced it would be showing The Interview on two screens Christmas Day and is scheduling screenings for Dec. 26 as well.

Sony canceled its planned Christmas theatrical release for The Interview — about the assassination of Kim Jong-un — last week in the wake of a cyber attack on the studio, which the FBI has since confirmed North Korea was behind, and terror threats.

Last Friday, Obama declared Sony had "made a mistake" pulling the film, to which Lynton said, "We have always had every desire to have the American public see this movie. ... We do not own movie theaters. We cannot decide what is played in theaters."

On Sunday, Sony lawyer David Boies said on "Meet the Press" that the film's release was merely delayed, not canceled. "Sony has been fighting to get this picture distributed," he said. "It will be distributed."

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Intervie...d-1091259.aspx

Dude111 · 12-26-2014, 05:42 AM

This piece of garbage is now on youtube,torrents,etc......... (It was torrented an hour after the official release)

Dr. Thong · 12-26-2014, 09:54 AM

I'm starting to wonder if this whole Sony backing down thing was just a scam. I'm thinking this might have just been a publicity stunt.

tlc38tlc38 · 12-26-2014, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

I'm starting to wonder if this whole Sony backing down thing was just a scam. I'm thinking this might have just been a publicity stunt.

Wouldn't surprise me a bit. And, it wouldn't be the first time an elaborate stunt was pulled for publicity's sake.

12-17-2014, 08:15 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,175	Update: "The Interview" will be Released in Select Theaters and VOD Platforms *Sony Cancels Theatrical Release for The Interview* on Christmas** by Brent Lang 12/17/14 With theater chains defecting en masse, Sony Pictures Entertainment has pulled the planned Christmas Day release of The Interview. In announcing the decision to cancel the holiday debut, Sony hit back at the hackers who threatened movie theaters and moviegoers and who have terrorized the studio and its employees for weeks. “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,” the statement reads. “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,” it continues. “We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.” The studio did not say it would never release the picture theatrically. Insiders tell Variety that Sony is exploring all options, including offering the picture on premium video-on-demand as a way to recoup at least some of its investment. The comedy centers on a hapless television host who is recruited to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. The country has condemned the film and some cyber-security experts believe that it played a role in the hacking attack on the studio. North Korea has denied involvement in the attacks. Seth Rogen and James Franco star in the picture, which cost $42 million to produce. Sony has been reeling for weeks since hackers broke into the studio’s computer system in November and stole internal documents, email messages, film budgets, spreadsheets detailing top executive salaries and the social security numbers of thousands of employees. The documents and records were subsequently leaked online, setting off a firestorm of media coverage. Tuesday’s message accompanied another data dump. It threatened violence on theaters that showed The Interview and people who attend screenings. “The world will be full of fear,” the message reads. “Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. (If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)” In response, exhibition industry lobbying arm the National Association of Theatre Owners said its members must decide individually whether to release the picture and Sony said it would respect theater owners’ decision not to exhibit The Interview. That set off a cascade of cancellations. The bulk of the country’s 10 largest theater chains — a group that includes AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Carmike and Southern Theatres — announced they would delay showing the picture or would drop it altogether. In statements, many of the theater chains suggested that Sony’s lack of confidence in the film prompted their decision. Regal, for instance, said its decision was “due to the wavering support of the film ‘The Interview’ by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats.” Sony was more conciliatory even as it said exhibitor defections motivated its decision. “We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatergoers,” the studio’s statement read. Bruce Nash, founder of box office site TheNumbers, said that Christmas is one of the busiest times of year for moviegoing and is particularly strong for family films. Any perceived danger or threat might have depressed ticket sales. “It was never going to be one of the big films of Christmas and clearly chains are going to be concerned about making sure people feel comfortable bringing their children to ‘Annie,’ ‘Into the Woods’ or ‘Night at the Museum,” said Nash. http://variety.com/2014/film/news/so...as-1201382032/ Attached Images
	Last edited by JamesG; 12-23-2014 at 05:11 PM.

12-18-2014, 05:27 PM	#3
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	This is pretty gutless on Sony's part. This sets a dangerous precedent.
	__________________ "Sunday has been cancelled due to lack of interest. That is all."

12-17-2014, 11:14 PM	#2
Vahan Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 14, 2008 Posts: 2,712	The day the bullies in North Korea renounce Communism is the day sanity is restored to this world.

12-21-2014, 07:01 AM	#5
irehtman Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 15, 2013 Location: Montgomery County, Maryland Posts: 4,827	Does this mean that The Hobbit conclusion ends up #1 or what?

12-23-2014, 05:09 PM	#6
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,175	The Interview to be Released in Select Theaters and VOD After All Dec 23, 2014 by Sadie Gennis After being publicly criticized by President Obama, Sony has decided to release The Interview after all. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy will be released simultaneously in select theaters and video on demand 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," Sony CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement. "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," the statement continued. "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." The full list of participating theaters has yet to be revealed, but The Plaza Theater in Atlanta and The Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas-Fort Worth have both announced they plan on screening the controversial comedy. "Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory," The Alamo Drafthouse's founder Tim League tweeted Tuesday morning. The Plaza announced it would be showing The Interview on two screens Christmas Day and is scheduling screenings for Dec. 26 as well. Sony canceled its planned Christmas theatrical release for The Interview — about the assassination of Kim Jong-un — last week in the wake of a cyber attack on the studio, which the FBI has since confirmed North Korea was behind, and terror threats. Last Friday, Obama declared Sony had "made a mistake" pulling the film, to which Lynton said, "We have always had every desire to have the American public see this movie. ... We do not own movie theaters. We cannot decide what is played in theaters." On Sunday, Sony lawyer David Boies said on "Meet the Press" that the film's release was merely delayed, not canceled. "Sony has been fighting to get this picture distributed," he said. "It will be distributed." http://www.tvguide.com/News/Intervie...d-1091259.aspx

12-26-2014, 05:42 AM	#7
Dude111 Forum Legend Join Date: Nov 05, 2013 Posts: 36,742	This piece of garbage is now on youtube,torrents,etc......... (It was torrented an hour after the official release)

12-26-2014, 09:54 AM	#8
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,546	I'm starting to wonder if this whole Sony backing down thing was just a scam. I'm thinking this might have just been a publicity stunt.