Sony Cancels Release Of 'The Interview' After More Cinemas Pull Out

Sony Pictures Entertainment begrudgingly conceded to the Guardians Of Peace overnight, cancelling the planned Christmas release of James Franco and Seth Rogen's The Interview after five prominent cinema chains opted not to screen the film following renewed threats from the hacking group.

The film, in which a pair of American media types are conscripted on the down-low to assassinate Kim Jong-un, has been at the centre of the unprecedented hacking disaster wrought upon Sony Pictures since late November, with the Guardians Of Peace repeatedly singling it out as a catalyst for their action. 

In the wake of Carmike Cinemas' decision to drop the film yesterday, notable US chains such as AMC, Cinemark, Regal and Southern Theatres all followed suit, opting to take seriously the GOP's renewed threats against those businesses that planned to support the film. Sony Pictures consequently put out a statement explaining that it would be canning the film's Christmas Day release.  

"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," it wrote. "We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatregoers."

Although North Korea has been conjecturally tied to the attacks since they first occurred, the country has repeatedly denied direct involvement. However, reports are emerging that US officials have confirmed North Korean involvement, though scepticism persists over the country's ability to carry out such a broad, wide-ranging hacking operation — not that the source of the attack really matters to Sony at this stage.

"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," Sony's statement continued. "We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome."

Presently, The Interview is scheduled for a mid-January release in Australia. The Music has contacted Sony Pictures Australia for comment; we are expecting an official statement from the company later today.