‘The Interview’ James Franco Gets Bodyguard After North Korea Bureau 121 Threats
James Franco has increased his security detail in response to The Interview release threats by North Korea Bureau 121. Sony has pulled the comedy, which centered on the assignation of Kim Jong Un, the film will likely never be shown in theaters, but could ultimately be released online. There are currently no plans to release the movie, which cost $44 million to make, in a direct-to-DVD format.
When spotted in NYC on the way to dinner, James Franco, 36, was shadowed at least one bodyguard. The large bodyguard hired for The Interview star stayed very close to the actor and maneuvered to block approaching fans. A Bureau 121 group, calling themselves the Guardians of Peace, threatened a 9/11 style attack at movie theaters showing The Interview. Carmike Cinemas was the first theater chain to pull the Kim Jong Un comedy.
The salaries both James Franco and Seth Rogen received for starring in The Interview were among the details leaks after the Sony emails hack by Bureau 121. Seth Rogen, 32, wrote The Interview script and directed the movie. Sony paid the comedic actor $8.4 million for the flick. James Franco was reportedly paid $6.5 million to co-star in the movie, which mocked North Korea and its Communist dictator Kim Jong Un.
On Monday, both James Franco and Seth Rogen sat down with Howard Stern to discuss The Interview and the threats by North Korea Bureau 121. When Stern made a joke about Kim Jong Un, Franco said, “Don’t provoke him!” Seth Rogen added, “It’s bad enough, Howard!”
Doin’ some press for theinterviewmovie With @sethrogen ?? http://t.co/oZ8k6dazMK
— James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 15, 2014
Don’t be KY-JEALOUS. Just relax and go see theinterviewmovie on dec 25th. I promise a guuuuuud time. http://t.co/xSeQ40itJN
— James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 9, 2014
The Guardians of Peace threats read, “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.”
Yay! “@ThePlaylist: Review: Assassination Comedy ‘The Interview’ Starring Seth Rogen, James Franco, And Lizzy Caplan http://t.co/DTm59tTtca”
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 15, 2014
U.S. Officials Name North Korea As Involved In The Sony Hack http://t.co/QuKDyfnpPspic.twitter.com/gsb0B8Mp4t
— ThePlaylist (@ThePlaylist) December 17, 2014
What do you think about The Interview release being cancelled by Sony after the North Korea Bureau 121 cyber hacking and threats?
[Image via: James Franco Instagram/Daily Mail]
