Amidst threat James Franco and Seth Rogen cancel all media appearances

By Tribute on December 17, 2014 | 8 Comments


James Franco and Seth RogenThe Sony hackers who call themselves the Guardians of Peace released an ominous message yesterday threatening an attack on upcoming screenings of The Interview. The film, which follows interviewer Dave Skylark (James Franco) and producer Aaron Rapaport (Seth Rogen) who — after surprisingly landing an interview with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un — are recruited by the CIA to assassinate the dictator, is set to hit theatres on Christmas Day. However, following a menacing message, some theatres have already dropped the film from their roster.

The hackers threatened a “bitter fate,” referencing a 9/11 style attack for both viewers and homeowners nearby in their inflammatory message. Amidst the threat stars James Franco, 36, and Seth Rogen, 32, have taken the necessary precautions and cancelled all media appearances for the film. As well, the New York premiere, which was scheduled to take place today, was cancelled.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has responded to the message and stated that, “At this time there is no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theatres within the United States.” According to CNBC sources Sony is still planning to release the film, but understands if theatres choose not to run it. So far five of the top theatre chains in the U.S. have decided not to show the film – Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas and Cineplex Entertainment. Major Canadian chains such as Cineplex, Landmark, Guzzo and Rainbow have also all pulled showtimes for the film. ~Janine Wyslobicky

Update: Sony has cancelled the Christmas release of The Interview. A federal investigation into the threats has been launched. American officials believe North Korea is behind the hacking of computers and emails belonging to Sony Pictures, as well as the threats involving The Interview.



Comments & Discussion

  1. David Roy • December 18, 2014 @ 1:08 AM

    Ridiculous! The terrorists and the theatre chains have the public hostage. Don’t give in. If you do, there will be more movies pulled unnecessarily.

  2. Heather S • December 18, 2014 @ 2:20 AM

    Guardians of Peace? Someone send them a dictionary! And a heart! And a brain! And some humanity! How does that threat guard peace?

  3. MightyMad • December 18, 2014 @ 1:12 PM

    However you spin it, the terrorists won.

    It may be an ultimate insignificant movie, but, overall, this is a very sad day for democracy.

  4. Gus • December 18, 2014 @ 4:19 PM

    They should force North Korea to watch that horrible movie then they would realize releasing that movie on the North America public is more punishment than any terrorist act they could commit…once they realize this their new threat will be that every North American watch that movie…..lol

  5. Bob • December 18, 2014 @ 9:15 PM

    It clearly shows how much we have become slaves to technology. In the past people would fear an airborne attack from a foreigner. But now we fear hackers and computer viruses. Our entire existence now circles around the internet/computers/electronics/etc…

    The Montreal 1998 ice storm incident, were an entire region lost electrical power, showed people returning to the stone age….where they had to leave their homes and depend on aid to survive. They couldn’t heat, cook food, wash, etc… because of no electrical power. This should have shown everyone that people depend too much on electronic devices in order to survive….but it didn’t. And now, trying to show or watch a simply movie has now become a threat.

  6. Maddie • December 18, 2014 @ 11:48 PM

    Sony made the right decision.

  7. derek • December 19, 2014 @ 2:23 AM

    I wanted to see this movie.. Not many movies out there that really interested me, and your going to give into a stupid internet threat…

  8. Sue • December 19, 2014 @ 11:40 PM

    Maddie….I disagree. What Sony has done is to open the door for more hackers to make more threats. We can’t give in to threats, whether its foreigners hijacking a plane with hostages or the threat of hackers invading corporate or personal computers. Unfortunately this incident could even lead to the start of a war between America and North Korea since North Korea is being blamed for this.

    One solution to stop this…..put the movie on the internet…accessible to everyone.


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