Looks like the Guardians of Peace hackers finally got what they wanted
Sony Pictures Entertainment has caved in to its hackers' demands and cancelled the theatrical release of The Interview.
The film company has been the target of a devastating hack, which saw reams of private information and countless emails from Sony employees leaked of the public.
A collective calling themselves the Guardians of Peace (GOP) claimed responsibilty for the attack and threatened to stage a 9/11-style terrorist act on any cinemas showing The Interview, causing many theatre chains to drop the film from its schedules.
Sony said in a statement: “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. We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.
“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 Seth Rogen and James Franco-starring comedy revolves around a CIA assassination attempt made on North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un. Over the past year, the Hermit Kingdom made no bones about the fact that it is pretty fucking pissed off with the plot – although it has denied its involvement in the hack.
According to leaked Sony executives' emails, The Interview is "desperately unfunny". So maybe this is all for the best.
Watch a clip from The Interview below:
