This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/top-movie-theater-chains-cancel-premiere-showings-of-the-interview/2014/12/17/dd1bdb2a-8608-11e4-9534-f79a23c40e6c_story.html?wprss=rss_homepage
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Top movie-theater chains cancel premiere showings of “The Interview” | Top movie-theater chains cancel premiere showings of “The Interview” |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The country’s top movie-theater chains will cancel premiere showings of The Interview, backing down to threats from the Sony Pictures Entertainment hackers who threatened a “bitter fate” for the movie’s viewers, according an industry executive. | The country’s top movie-theater chains will cancel premiere showings of The Interview, backing down to threats from the Sony Pictures Entertainment hackers who threatened a “bitter fate” for the movie’s viewers, according an industry executive. |
| The largest five theater circuits — Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas and Cineplex Entertainment — have decided against showing the film on its planned release date, Dec. 25, according to a person familiar with their decisions who asked not to be named because the chains had not made a public announcement. It’s not clear when the film will be shown in those theaters, if at all. | The largest five theater circuits — Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas and Cineplex Entertainment — have decided against showing the film on its planned release date, Dec. 25, according to a person familiar with their decisions who asked not to be named because the chains had not made a public announcement. It’s not clear when the film will be shown in those theaters, if at all. |
| The Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy, which details an assassination attempt against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was at the center of a sharp warning released Tuesday by the hacker group, known as Guardians of Peace. | The Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy, which details an assassination attempt against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was at the center of a sharp warning released Tuesday by the hacker group, known as Guardians of Peace. |
| The group claiming responsibility for the hack at Sony warned people “to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. (If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)” They added, “The world will be full of fear,” and to “remember the 11th of September 2001.” | The group claiming responsibility for the hack at Sony warned people “to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. (If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)” They added, “The world will be full of fear,” and to “remember the 11th of September 2001.” |
| The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday there is no credible evidence suggesting an active plot against American movie theaters in connection with the hack. | The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday there is no credible evidence suggesting an active plot against American movie theaters in connection with the hack. |
| Still, Bow Tie Cinemas, a smaller chain that runs 55 theaters across six states, said in a statement Wednesday it was “saddened and angered by recent threats of terrorism” and, “given that the source and credibility of these threats is unknown,” the chain would cancel the Christmas premiere of the movie. | Still, Bow Tie Cinemas, a smaller chain that runs 55 theaters across six states, said in a statement Wednesday it was “saddened and angered by recent threats of terrorism” and, “given that the source and credibility of these threats is unknown,” the chain would cancel the Christmas premiere of the movie. |
| That decision brought its own backlash, as people took to Facebook to call the chain “cowards” for “kowtowing” to the threats. Bow Tie spokesman Joe Masher said in response, “The safety of our patrons and staff are our number one priority. Period. It was a difficult decision for us to make.” | |
| Carmike also confirmed it was pulling the film Tuesday. Messages left with AMC Entertainment, Regal Entertainment, Cineplex and Cinemark were not immediately returned. | Carmike also confirmed it was pulling the film Tuesday. Messages left with AMC Entertainment, Regal Entertainment, Cineplex and Cinemark were not immediately returned. |
| Although some U.S. investigators have blamed North Korea for the hack, North Korea has denied involvement. The reclusive government, however, has called it “a righteous deed” and threatened to undertake “a merciless countermeasure” due to the film’s premiere. The movie, it said, was a “most blatant act of terrorism and war.” | Although some U.S. investigators have blamed North Korea for the hack, North Korea has denied involvement. The reclusive government, however, has called it “a righteous deed” and threatened to undertake “a merciless countermeasure” due to the film’s premiere. The movie, it said, was a “most blatant act of terrorism and war.” |
| Sony this week told theater chains it “wouldn’t object” if they cancelled screenings. | Sony this week told theater chains it “wouldn’t object” if they cancelled screenings. |
| The movie’s New York premiere Thursday was canceled at Landmark Theatres’ Sunshine Cinema, though its Los Angeles premiere already happened last week. | The movie’s New York premiere Thursday was canceled at Landmark Theatres’ Sunshine Cinema, though its Los Angeles premiere already happened last week. |
| Rogen declined to comment, and messages left with Franco were not returned. The duo has cancelled talk-show appearances and other media interviews in the wake of the threats. | Rogen declined to comment, and messages left with Franco were not returned. The duo has cancelled talk-show appearances and other media interviews in the wake of the threats. |