‘The Interview’ Terrorist Threat: Sony Pictures Canceled Theatrical Release Amid Hacker Threat For ‘Safety Of Employees And Theater-Goers’

After terrorism threats were made against Sony Pictures and watchers of The Interview, Sony Pictures has canceled the Dec. 25 release of its controversial movie. Hacker group Guardians of Peace threatened terrorist attacks and the largest multiplex chains in North America pulled the film from its screens.

In a related report by the Inquisitr,The Interview premiere was canceled that was originally scheduled for this Thursday.

Hacker group threatened Sony and any watchers of The Interview for making light of terrorism. The group said it would show them what real terrorism looks like. Wednesday afternoon Sony released a statement stating that they would not release the movie. “In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release,” Sony said in the statement. “We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.”

“Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business,” Sony said in their Wednesday afternoon statement. “Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale — all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like.”

Before canceling the theatrical release, Sony had previously told exhibitors they could opt out of showing the film if they were concerned about the threatening message. James Franco and Seth Rogen have both canceled their promotional appearances for the rest of the week in light of the new developments.

The chilling message from the anonymous hacker group Guardians of Peace reads as follows.

“Warning. 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. Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made. The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. (If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.) Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment. All the world will denounce the SONY.”

“We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public,” Sony added. “We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome,” reported the Blaze.