Following Sony's decision to cancel 'The Interview' theatrical release, the official announcement about the hack reportedly is set to take place on Thursday.
- Dec 18, 2014
AceShowbiz - U.S. authorities are going to announce North Korea as the one responsible in massive cyber attack which targeted Sony Pictures Entertainment in late November, multiple media report. Citing a federal law enforcement official, USA Today says the announcement is set to take place as soon as Thursday, December 18.
CNN also reported similar story. "Sources: North Korean Leaders Ordered Attack on Sony," read a news Chyron on Wednesday. The New York Times, meanwhile, reported that some officials at the U.S. intelligence said North Korea was "centrally involved" in the attack.
On Wednesday, Sony decided to cancel "The Interview" Christmas Day release after the group of hackers who calls themselves Guardians of Peace threatened 9/11-style attack on theaters which screen the comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. In the wake of the threat, five major cinema chains said they would pull the movie which centers on two TV journalists who are sent to assassinate Kim Jong-Un.
"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. We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers," read a statement from Sony. A spokesperson additionally told Variety that the company did not plan to release it in other forms including VOD or DVD. "Sony Pictures has no further release plans for the film," the spokesperson said.
Hollywood figures reacted to the decision on social media, many of whom said that they were disappointed with the announcement. "I think it is disgraceful that these theaters are not showing The Interview. Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now?" Judd Apatow tweeted. "What if an anonymous person got offended by something an executive at Coke said. Will we all have to stop drinking Coke?"
Responding to Apatow's tweet, Jimmy Kimmel said, "I agree wholeheartedly. An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent." Rob Lowe also took to Twitter to share his thoughts, writing, "Wow. Everyone caved. The hackers won. An utter and complete victory for them. Wow."
Mia Farrow retweeted a news article about the cancellation and commented, "Damn. Bad guys won." Michael Moore, meanwhile, said in a post, "Dear Sony Hackers: now that u run Hollywood, I'd also like less romantic comedies, fewer Michael Bay movies and no more 'Transformers'."
Steve Carell's upcoming movie called "Pyongyang" is scrapped in the wake of the hacking. According to TheWrap, Gore Verbinski had been preparing for the movie with the script by Steve Conrad. The paranoid thriller, which centers on a Westerner who works in North Korea for a year, was originally scheduled to start production in March. "Sad day for creative expression. #feareatsthesoul," Carell tweeted.
