Barack Obama has welcomed a decision by Sony to go ahead with a limited Christmas Day release of The Interview, its controversial comedy about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The film, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, was originally due for release in up to 3,000 screens tomorrow, but leading US cinema groups refused to show it following threats from hackers.
Sony suffered a huge cyber attack last month, with personal emails and unreleased films leaked online. The Interview's New York premiere was then cancelled after the "Guardians of Peace" hacker group threatened a 9/11-type attack on cinemas showing the film.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The Interview is now expected to show in 200 mostly independent and art-house cinemas tomorrow, despite fresh threats from the hackers.
Obama's spokesman Eric Schultz said: "As the President made clear, we are a country that believes in free speech, and the right of artistic expression. The decision made by Sony and participating theatres allows people to make their own choices about the film, and we welcome that outcome."
Sony said it had "never given up" on a release, and was continuing to try to show the film more widely.
The FBI has accused North Korea of launching the cyber attack. Pyongyang, which has long condemned The Interview, praised the cyber attack but denied any involvement. On Monday, the country suffered one of its worst internet outages in history.
"What started out as a Christmas comedy caper has become quite the seasonal thriller," says BBC Los Angeles correspondent Alastair Leithead. "It's got everything: cyber-attacks, terror threats and an international incident between America and North Korea, but all of it is a drama Sony Pictures could do without."
The company has been left red-faced by the internet leaks, while thousands of details of current and former staff have also been stolen, opening the door to class-action lawsuits.
"It's a still-unfolding script to a drama the critics might even slam for being a little too far-fetched," says Leithead.
-
Jaguar Land Rover’s cyber bailoutTalking Point Should the government do more to protect business from the ‘cyber shockwave’?
-
Russia: already at war with Europe?Talking Point As Kremlin begins ‘cranking up attacks’ on Ukraine’s European allies, questions about future action remain unanswered
-
Crossword: October 5, 2025The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Kim Ju Ae: North Korea’s next leader?The Explainer Kim Jong Un’s young daughter is being seen as his ‘recognised heir’ following a high-profile public appearance at China summit
-
'Axis of upheaval': will China summit cement new world order?Today's Big Question Xi calls on anti-US alliance to cooperate in new China-led global system – but fault lines remain
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
Wonsan-Kalma: North Korea's new 'mammoth' beach resortUnder the Radar Pyongyang wants to boost tourism but there won't be many foreign visitors to Kim Jong Un's 'pet project'
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
