UPDATE 8:45 PM: Sony has issued the following statement: “Sony Pictures has no further release plans for the film.” Variety reports that this includes VOD and DVD.
UPDATE 6:20 PM: According to The New York Times, the U.S. government now says that the North Korean government was “centrally involved” in the hacking attack on Sony Pictures.
After the country’s five biggest theater chains decided not to show James Franco and Seth Rogen’s The Interview in the wake of terrorist threats, Sony has decided to cancel the planned theatrical release entirely. CNN’s Brian Selter tweeted out the studio’s statement. And even though some independent theaters wanted to take a stand and show the film anyway,
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So will The Interview never see the light of day? Maybe not! According to Variety, Sony is considering releasing The Interview on premium VOD. Meaning you might be able to watch the film from the comfort of your own home as soon as next week.
The VOD option will not only protect employees and theater-goers from potential threats, but also allow Sony to recoup their losses. The studio spent $42 million to make the film and tens of millions promoting it. This is also an opportunity for Sony to experiment with the VOD model, something they’ve wanted to do in the past, according to Variety, but have avoided for fear of upsetting major exhibitors. Variety is clear, however, that the VOD discussion is still in the preliminary stages.
And while this may seem like the safe and sane option, it will upset those in Hollywood who see this as a major suppression of freedom of expression. LA’s independent theater Cinefamily was vocal about their strong desire to show the film. . .
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. . . and major Hollywood players like Judd Apatow (an old friend of Franco and Rogen) couched the question of seeing The Interview in theaters in terms of free speech.
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Film lovers could still flip a finger to the terrorists; they would just do so from the comfort of their own home.
Even if everyone rallies for some slacktivist film watching, the threats and the hacks have already done their damage. Not only to The Interview, but to future projects as well. Deadline reports that in light of the chaos surrounding The Interview, Fox and New Regency have scrapped an upcoming North Korean–set movie starring Steve Carrell and directed by Gore Verbinski. Good luck getting any future North Korean film off the ground, Hollywood players.
