Sony Pictures made a stated that they will be cancelling the release of the movie "The Interview" in light of the threat from the hackers known as GOP (Guardians of Peace no GOP the Republicans) to blow up movie theaters that will show The Interview which should have been released on December 25. Before Sony's statement, major theater chains throughout the U.S. announced that they will cancell the showing of "The Interview" given the threat.
Sony Pictures statement:
“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.
Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. 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. We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”
"The Interview" is about two journalists who are asked by the CIA to assassinate North Korea's Supreme leader Kim Jong Un. James Franco and Seth Rogen stars in the film.
This cyber hacking may be the costliest attack ever. Experts believe that the attackers may be sympathizers of North Korea. The attack ripped Sony security and crippled their computer systems and started posting thousands of emails and private documents online. The company may also face lawsuits from former employees whose information was released online because of the security breach.
"The Interview" movie has a budget of $40 million and is expected to earn about $32 million in its opening weekend.
Somewhere in Asia there's a fat man laughing at Sony.........