The Cyber terrorists seem to have won after all, as Sony finally cancels december 25 US Release For NKorea Parody Film.
More major US cinema chains canceled Wednesday plans to screen the comedy film that has offended North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un, after mysterious computer hackers threatened attacks on theaters showing the movie, reports said.
Regal, AMC and Carmike theaters were among chains who will not show the madcap movie about a plot to assassinate the North Korean leader, which is due for release on Christmas Day, according to media reports.
None of the chains answered requests for confirmation of their plans.
Hollywood studio Sony Pictures said it is not pulling the film, but is leaving it to theater chains to decide whether to show the movie.
“We plan to release the film,” said a source at Sony, which is dealing with fallout from an enormous cyber-attack last month.
The source added that a decision whether to show the film “is with theater owners, partners whom we support.”
A red-carpet premiere scheduled for this week at New York’s Landmark chain’s Sunshine Cinema also has been canceled, industry journal Variety reported.
The National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) appeared to back chains who decided to cancel screening plans.
“We are encouraged that the authorities have made progress in their investigation and we look forward to the time when the responsible criminals are apprehended,” it said in a statement.
“Until that happens, individual cinema operators may decide to delay exhibition of the movie so that our guests may enjoy a safe holiday movie season experiencing the many other exciting films we have to offer.”
On Monday, Sony Pictures boss Michael Lynton sought to reassure employees that the studio would not be destroyed by the leaks.
“This will not take us down,” Lynton told employees, adding: “You should not be worried about the future of this studio.”
North Korea has denied involvement in the brazen November 24 cyber-attack, which some expert said could possibly have been carried out by disgruntled workers or by supporters of North Korea furious over the movie.
On Tuesday lawyers filed two class action lawsuits against Sony Pictures in Los Angeles.
One of the suits alleged that “Sony failed to secure and protect its computer systems, servers, and databases, resulting in the release of the named plaintiffs and other class members'” personal data.
“An epic nightmare, much better suited to a cinematic thriller than to real life, is unfolding in slow motion for Sony’s current and former employees,” the 45-page lawsuit said.
