Ever since the first news about the Sony hack appeared, the rumor was that it was all just because of one single movie: The Interview, in which Seth Rogen and James Franco's characters are tasked with killing the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
And also since there one other rumor started to spread: that the North Koreans (through a mysterious group self-entitled Guardians of the Peace) were the ones behind the Sony hack attack. But now"¦ We have had our fair share of news after the attack, news leaked through the emails between the Sony bosses - Spider-Man, Specter, and even properties not belonging to this studio (Aquaman, Star Wars, X-Men).
And all because the North Koreans couldn't distinguish between reality and fiction.
The Feds say that it was the North Koreans
And so they kind of agree with the first rumors - however, just like always when situations could escalate, they aren't too certain.
But what kind of proof do you need when threats are being made against the theaters which will screen the movie? 9/11 again, they said, if Seth Rogen and James Franco's shenanigans in North Korea will see any kind of release.
What was the answer of the studio?
No Interview
They gave in - after most major chains scraped their planned release of the movie and after even the 25th of December New York premiere was canceled, Sony announced that the movie won't see too soon any kind of release.
It was expected that they will at least sell or rent The Interview on DVD or, even faster, on VOD, with an increased charge. And it was thought because the movie would have made a ton of cash, given this kind of publicity.
However, Sony also announced that the film will not see a release on any kind of platforms.
Reactions
Obviously, the major stars of Hollywood (and not only, even president Obama releasing a statement) are infuriated - this is, after all, a sign that the freedom of speech has been diminished, that the terrorists can have their way after all. It is a precedent.
And the first movie to be canceled is the one of Steve Carell and Gore Verbinski, a still unnamed project which was supposed to be a thriller set in North Korea. What will be next?
25th of December
This is the date when The Interview was supposed to be released - this is also the day when the Guardians of the Peace announced that Sony will fall.
For what is worth, here are the trailers.
