The question of when and where audiences will be able to see “The Interview,” the embattled comedy at the center of an ongoing hacking attack and terrorist threats, has been answered. As many as 200 theaters have now agreed to screen “The Interview” on Christmas Day, following the studio’s reversal of its decision to cancel the film’s planned release.
Sony released a statement on Tuesday announcing that the film would get a limited theatrical release on Christmas Day, its original release date. Last week, the studio cancelled the release of the Seth Rogen and James Franco satire about the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after hackers who had been waging an ongoing attack on Sony’s systems threatened violence on any theaters showing the flick.
That decision was widely derided, and Sony had recently vowed that it still planned on getting the film out to the public, but did not yet have a specific plan to do so. Now, the studio is moving forward with a new release strategy.
Here’s Sony’s statement in full:
Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that The Interview will have a limited theatrical release in the United States 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,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. “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. 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.”
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony is also planning a simultaneous VOD release for “The Interview,” though the platform on which it will be made available has not yet been revealed.
A full list of theaters showing “The Interview” can be found here.
No word yet on any screenings outside of the U.S. No Canadian theatre has confirmed they will be screening the film.
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