It's kind of sad to see anonymous threats work like this. Just seems to show the cowards their tactics work.


A theater has canceled the New York premiere of "The Interview" after a group that claimed it hacked Sony Pictures posted a threat against people who go to watch the movie.

On Pastebin, a website that allows for anonymous posts, hackers claiming to be the "Guardians of Peace" said people who see the Sony movie would suffer a "bitter fate."

"The Interview" is a comedy about a plot to kill North Korea's leader Kim Jong-Un.

"We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places 'The Interview' be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to," the hacking group said. "The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September 2001."

The Guardians of Peace have told people who live close to movie theaters to keep their distance.

The premiere was scheduled for Thursday at Landmark's Sunshine Cinema in New York. "The Interview" remains set to be released to theaters on Christmas.

Guardians of Peace, ironic name for a group that goes around threatening people

Could you imagine if Team America: World Police came out now.

RPBX47zSktc

Sony has now scrapped all release plans for the film.

It?s Official: Sony Scraps ?The Interview? | Deadline (http://deadline.com/2014/12/sony-scraps-the-interview-1201328639/)

Pisses me right off.

Metro Theaters Respond To Sony Pulling "The Interview" Movie - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/27655117/metro-theaters-respond-to-sony-pulling-the-interview-movie)

Sony has now scrapped all release plans for the film.

It?s Official: Sony Scraps ?The Interview? | Deadline (http://deadline.com/2014/12/sony-scraps-the-interview-1201328639/)

Pisses me right off.Same here. A they gave in into the hackers, I mean North Korea. I bet they feel pretty good.

Metro Theaters Respond To Sony Pulling "The Interview" Movie - News9.com - Oklahoma City, OK - News, Weather, Video and Sports | (http://www.news9.com/story/27655117/metro-theaters-respond-to-sony-pulling-the-interview-movie)

It doesn't appear that any of the metro theatres responded in that link. I wonder if they weren't able to get any statement, but liked the headline too much to change it?

If the rumours are true the N Korean Government is behind this wouldn't this be considered to be an act of war? If so then maybe a good nuclear cleansing is the word of the day.

If the rumours are true the N Korean Government is behind this wouldn't this be considered to be an act of war? If so then maybe a good nuclear cleansing is the word of the day.

You're in favor of dropping nuclear weapons because a country hacked a movie company?

Could you imagine if Team America: World Police came out now.

RPBX47zSktc

A Texas theater that was going to show The Interview will now show Team America instead LOL

Judging by the early reviews of this movie, I think Sony is just using this as an excuse to avoid bombing themselves with a crappy movie. Eat the loss and try to get attention away from the cyber leaks.

Being criticized for giving in to terrorists(if you want to call a group of guys sitting around a computer in North Korea that) is probably better than having a bad movie in your portfolio in the world of Hollywood.

Could you imagine if Team America: World Police came out now.

RPBX47zSktc

Team America was making fun of the U.S. as much as it was North Korea. It probably would have still been released.

Meh. I'm sure The Interview took PLENTY of shots at the U.S. too. We tend to do that in a free society. Pulling that movie was incredibly cowardly. I hope they reconsider.

Meh. I'm sure The Interview took PLENTY of shots at the U.S. too. We tend to do that in a free society. Pulling that movie was incredibly cowardly. I hope they reconsider.

I think if Sony gave a big FU to N Korea and released the movie there would be full theaters to support them.

This was a simple business decision. Yes, they will lose a lot of money on this deal. ($30-$50 million? Maybe $100 Million?) But at the same time, they are protecting themselves from a possible hugh liability. Even if the G.O.P. didn't have the ability to actually carry out an attack, any crazy ****er anywhere in the World could walk into a theatre showing this movie, and open gun fire much like the Aurora, Colorado (Batman) incident. At that point in time...Sony Pictures would be on the hook for some BIG TIME lawsuits, simply because it was well documented and publicized that there "could" be an attack of some kind. By going ahead, and releasing the movie...I think they could have been found liable for any number of incidents, even if it was proven to be some random person, without any ties to anything "Guardians of Peace."

This was a simple business decision. Yes, they will lose a lot of money on this deal. ($30-$50 million? Maybe $100 Million?) But at the same time, they are protecting themselves from a possible hugh liability. Even if the G.O.P. didn't have the ability to actually carry out an attack, any crazy ****er anywhere in the World could walk into a theatre showing this movie, and open gun fire much like the Aurora, Colorado (Batman) incident. At that point in time...Sony Pictures would be on the hook for some BIG TIME lawsuits, simply because it was well documented and publicized that there "could" be an attack of some kind. By going ahead, and releasing the movie...I think they could have been found liable for any number of incidents, even if it was proven to be some random person, without any ties to anything "Guardians of Peace."The people also carry a liability themselves by going to the movie. Sony isn't forcing anyone to go.

https://deadline.com/2014/12/north-korea-thriller-gore-verbinski-steve-carell-canceled-new-regency-1201328532/

Even movies in production getting scrapped now...

https://deadline.com/2014/12/north-korea-thriller-gore-verbinski-steve-carell-canceled-new-regency-1201328532/

Even movies in production getting scrapped now...

I saw that. I'm still amazed Sony is doing this.

I think if Sony gave a big FU to N Korea and released the movie there would be full theaters to support them.
Now they are saying they won't even release it on demand or through other channels. Mind-boggling that this is happening. Sets a new standard, which I'm sure other crackpots and third-rate dictatorships will line up to try and exploit. Pretty sad day for America, actually.

Yeap. I am furious by this. So mad I don't even know where to begin. I wrote a very strongly worded letter to Sony Entertainment and this needs to be fixed. It's also the theaters that carry some of the blame as well.

You're in favor of dropping nuclear weapons because a country hacked a movie company?

Of course not.......
Now if a 500lb bomb were dropped on the "little corporal" I would have no problem.

Of course not.......
Now if a 500lb bomb were dropped on the "little corporal" I would have no problem.

500 DVD copies of The Interview

Keep in mind that SONY is a Japanese company and as such is sensitive to what Korea can do to Japan. There is a history between these two that I am sure SONY is having to consider.

well...

Paramount Cancels ?Team America? Showings, Theaters Say | Deadline (http://deadline.com/2014/12/paramount-cancel-team-america-1201329597/)

This is getting unbelievable.

well...

Paramount Cancels ?Team America? Showings, Theaters Say | Deadline (http://deadline.com/2014/12/paramount-cancel-team-america-1201329597/)

This is getting unbelievable.

But wait there's more.... Sony cancels tours of their studio.

Sony are a bunch of pussies.

Sony needs to leak it to the torrents. Call it a hack if they want.

Terrorists, of every stripe and ilk, are probably celebrating their Victory. (over the Bravehearts at Sony Pictures)

(personally, I couldn't care less about any movie starring either of the two lead non-actors in "The Interview" but I am glad that Salmon Rushdie isn't only still alive, but has an entrée named in his honor somewhere up in Washington State, in the vicinity of The Columbia River . . . and that forward thinkers in Denmark are attempting to import it.)

(perhaps, Sony Pictures could re-cut the flick and release it camouflaged as . . . "Wag The Frog"? Or would that involve a lawsuit of some sort involving plagiarism?)

I forgot all about the film Death of a President. Here a pretty decent article about how the same people who are bashing Sony for caving in are the same ones who tried to get DOAP dropped in theaters. This is not, on my end, to be political.

The right's 'Interview' hypocrisy (Opinion) - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/18/opinion/obeidallah-interview-movie-hypocrisy/index.html?hpt=hp_t3)

It was always my understanding that it was against the law to threaten a sitting U.S. president..? I don't remember that hubbub, but it seems likely that film was also truly political in nature and not a satirical farce? That is where the differences would lie, I think.

If a French filmmaker (for instance) made a movie about an attempt on President Obama's life I wouldn't expect the U.S. to sanction France (or cyberattack the French studio), but I would expect for the film to be not allowed into the states. In this case my politics would have nothing to do with it. But a farce about a foreign leader, shown in the U.S.? Go for it.

If Sony chooses to stick by its decision to never release the film, I'm pretty sure they can file an insurance claim for its lost costs. And at the end of the day, filing that claim would be easier to do, if it has NO revenue. If they don’t put the film out at all, it’s a total loss and they can be very specific about the costs involved, allowing them to recoup as much money as possible. I see people talking about releasing the movie on Netflix, or DVD, or torrent or whatever, but when it comes down to it, if Sony goes with a DVD or streaming release it minimizes the total dollar amount Sony could request on an insurance claim.

And that's where it gets REAL crazy. If Sony does file a claim...and burys the movie......who then owns that asset? (It's no different than when you total your car. Insurance company writes you a check..and you have to turn over your car to insurance.)

At that point in time, the insurance company may have the option to release the movie itself to recoup its losses.

Either way...I'm sure that someday, we will all see the movie.

The thing to me about "Death of a President" and why it's not hypocrisy (amazing how many writers don't understand the meaning of the word) compared to the reactions to "The Interview".

No one called for sanctions, attacks, or anything else. They called DOAP "disgusting" and "terrible" and "shameful" which is fine. And if the North Korean free press (ha!) wanted to run negative reviews and attacks on "The Interview", so be it. Trust me, no one on the right would ever hold "The Interview" up as an example of amazing cinema. DOAP was getting film fest awards, and all sort of recognition, at a time that there were all sort of "hur hur hur, artistic impression" death threat type stuffs towards a sitting US President.

So coming out a trashing a movie that you think is terrible (or trying to boycott and use free market pressures to get the film not carried)... ok. Using state sponsored terrorism (and let's be clear, that's what we're talking about) to intimidate companies and movie theaters into not showing a movie is bad. And only on CNN would the two actions be in any way comparable.

The thing to me about "Death of a President" and why it's not hypocrisy (amazing how many writers don't understand the meaning of the word) compared to the reactions to "The Interview".

No one called for sanctions, attacks, or anything else. They called DOAP "disgusting" and "terrible" and "shameful" which is fine. And if the North Korean free press (ha!) wanted to run negative reviews and attacks on "The Interview", so be it. Trust me, no one on the right would ever hold "The Interview" up as an example of amazing cinema. DOAP was getting film fest awards, and all sort of recognition, at a time that there were all sort of "hur hur hur, artistic impression" death threat type stuffs towards a sitting US President.

So coming out a trashing a movie that you think is terrible (or trying to boycott and use free market pressures to get the film not carried)... ok. Using state sponsored terrorism (and let's be clear, that's what we're talking about) to intimidate companies and movie theaters into not showing a movie is bad. And only on CNN would the two actions be in any way comparable.

I think the hypocrisy came from many, Peter King for one, raising such a fuss and theater chains pulled the movie but when asked about this movie king stated:

Peter King. The man who in 2006 called for theaters to not screen the film that portrayed Bush being assassinated sang a far different tune when interviewed earlier this week by CNN's Wolf Blitzer. When Blitzer asked King if it was appropriate for a film to depict a world leader being assassinated, King responded, "There's no reason not to do it."

I think the pressure to pull DOAP and the new movie are both wrong but my point was some wanted a movie pulled when it was about a US President but think it's OK if it's another country's President. I remember when Christian groups pressured theaters to not show The Last Temptation of Christ but some are now citing free speech for the new movie. I see it as hypocrisy but many don't and that's OK.

I think the difference is in reaction and what they're reacting to. As far as I know, King didn't push the UK film company not to release the film at all, or support cyberattacks and terrorism against them. I think intelligent adults can have nuances and understand them. "Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes." - Whitman. One of my favorite quotes.

Coming out and speaking on the appropriateness of a film running IN THE US about a SITTING US PRESIDENT (which was a serious, documentary style tone using real footage from Bush) is extremely different than coming out about a company not releasing a film at all, anywhere, in response to state sponsored terrorism.

Let's put it this way, if you wanted to see DOAP, you could. You could hit many theaters to see it, plus netflix. Plus you can buy copies. Or watch it instantly on Amazon. And you know what won't happen? King won't be calling for your arrest, or for your personal information to be released online. The secret service won't visit you.

Even if "The Interview" had or ever does get released, what do you think the chances of the average NK citizen seeing it are.

*sigh*

Source: Hackers send new message to Sony - Dec. 19, 2014 (http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/19/media/insde-sony-hack-interview/index.html)

Why we don't negotiate with terrorists.

*sigh*

Source: Hackers send new message to Sony - Dec. 19, 2014 (http://money.cnn.com/2014/12/19/media/insde-sony-hack-interview/index.html)

Why we don't negotiate with terrorists.

There was no negotiating, just capitulating.

http://i.imgur.com/w6zKwIO.gif

FBI is making it official...

FBI ? Update on Sony Investigation (http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/update-on-sony-investigation)


North Korea’s actions were intended to inflict significant harm on a U.S. business and suppress the right of American citizens to express themselves. Such acts of intimidation fall outside the bounds of acceptable state behavior.

Now to see what our official response is.

FBI is making it official...

FBI ? Update on Sony Investigation (http://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/update-on-sony-investigation)



Now to see what our official response is.


Not sure what we can do. If we cut back on aid they will just threaten to shoot a missile somewhere and the world gives in and sends them more stuff. I say cut them off and let them know if they do anything we'll hit the dear leader's house first.

I have no idea what we can do either. I just figured the reason we hadn't heard anything yet was because it wasn't "official" the N. Korea was behind this terrorist attack on a US company. At the minimum, a strong condemnation.

What I'd really like for us to do is start air dropping smart phones all over rural N. Korea. Give their citizens unfettered access to the internet and then see how dear leader feels about being disrespected.

I'd stop foreign aid and let China take care of them. Lets see what happens if they hack China, which I'm sure we already have lol

I'd stop foreign aid and let China take care of them. Lets see what happens if they hack China, which I'm sure we already have lol

What's the old saying... "It's OK to spy on your enemies. It's even OK to spy on your friends. It's only not OK to get caught."

President Obama: U.S. will respond proportionally to North Korea (http://www.okcfox.com/story/27672353/president-obama-us-will-respond-proportionally-to-north-korea-hack)

Transmit Team America: World Police nonstop for the next year.

I saw on the facebooks today that Anonymous is (more than likely) DDOSing North Korea right now and they plan on releasing The Interview on Christmas.

(CNN) -- Internet service in North Korea was intermittent on Tuesday, according to Dyn Research, a company that monitors Internet performance.

"North Korea continues its struggle to stay online," the company announced on Twitter on Tuesday morning.

The situation was worse earlier, when the entire nation lost service for about nine hours.

Internet service appeared to have been restored before becoming spotty again, Dyn Research said.

The disruption came amid an escalating war of words between the United States and North Korea over a massive cyberattack on Sony Pictures.

"Usually there are isolated blips, not continuous connectivity problems. I wouldn't be surprised if they are absorbing some sort of attack presently," Doug Madory, director of Internet analysis at Dyn Research, said when the Internet was down.

North Korea's Internet still spotty - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2014/12/23/world/asia/north-korea-internet/index.html?hpt=hp_t1)

Sony WILL Now Release 'The Interview' for All to See! | moviepilot.com (http://moviepilot.com/posts/2014/12/22/sony-will-now-release-the-interview-for-all-to-see-2535630?lt_source=external,manual,manual)

http://imageserver.moviepilot.com/obama20-sony-will-now-release-the-interview-for-all-to-see.gif?width=250&height=174

The article is made more awesome by disappointed Obama.

The article is made more awesome by disappointed Obama.

Wasn't Obama disappointed they decided not to show it rather than their changing their minds and showing it?

Wasn't Obama disappointed they decided not to show it rather than their changing their minds and showing it?

Correct. That's why the article included that animation. They were running through the history.

Sony Pictures will allow theaters to show 'The Interview' Thursday (http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/23/sony-pictures-will-allow-theaters-to-show-the-interview-thursd/?ncid=rss_truncated)

Correct. That's why the article included that animation. They were running through the history.

Oh OK... duh

I watched it on Google Play Wednesday night. If you dig the Seth Rogen type of comedy, you should love it. I laughed throughout, lots of great one-liners, and it was really well put together in my opinion.

If you don't already enjoy that type of comedy, don't bother.

This article - and others with a similar take - make some valid points. Simply having the FBI tell us N Korea is responsible doesn't weigh that convincing on me in the face of the reality of other scenarios.

No, North Korea Didn’t Hack Sony (http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/24/no-north-korea-didn-t-hack-sony.html?via=desktop&source=twitter)

Sony has made a fortune off this movie and part of me wonders if they played the situation to their advantage to do that.

Sony has made a fortune off this movie and part of me wonders if they played the situation to their advantage to do that.

They haven't made a fortune off of it at all. Considering what they put into the production and promotion of the film, they have a long way to go to break even on it. They film pulled $15M off of online sales/rental, and $3M in theaters, after around $75M invested into it. Compare that to what it could have made had it enjoyed the uninterrupted international theatrical release that was originally planned.

They haven't made a fortune off of it at all. Considering what they put into the production and promotion of the film, they have a long way to go to break even on it. They film pulled $15M off of online sales/rental, and $3M in theaters, after around $75M invested into it. Compare that to what it could have made had it enjoyed the uninterrupted international theatrical release that was originally planned.

Good point.