After threats conjuring up the 9/11 attacks against theaters that show the new Seth Rogen/James Franco movie, chains are starting to drop the film from their schedules. Note: This post will be updated continuously.
AFP / Getty Images
AFP / Getty Images
In the wake of violent threats mentioning 9/11 from the unidentified hacker group Guardians of Peace against Sony's new movie The Interview and theaters that screen the film, the studio and theaters around the country are taking precautions in regards to the James Franco and Seth Rogen comedy.
After the actors' media appearances were canceled, as well as the New York premiere of The Interview , which was supposed to take place on Dec. 18 at the Landmark's Sunshine Cinema, Sony executives told the Wall Street Journal they have no objection to theaters deciding to no longer screen the film.
Carmike Cinemas was the first chain to drop all screenings of The Interview on Tuesday, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The Georgia-based chain has 278 theaters in 41 states across the country. A rep for Carmike Cinemas did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News' request for comment.
On Wednesday, Bow Ties Cinemas — which has 55 theaters in the New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Colorado, Maryland, and Virginia — also pulled its screenings of The Interview, as first reported by Variety. "We at Bow Tie Cinemas are saddened and angered by recent threats of terrorism in connection with the movie, The Interview. It is our mission to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests and employees," Bow Tie Cinemas said in a statement. "Given that the source and credibility of these threats is unknown at the time of this announcement, we have decided after careful consideration not to open The Interview on December 25, 2014 as originally planned. We hope that those responsible for this act are swiftly identified and brought to justice."
Deadline also reported that ArcLight Cinemas, an upscale movie theater chain based in Hollywood, will not screen The Interview. But the ArcLight — which has five theater locations across Southern California, and one in Bethesda, Maryland — tweeted that no decision has been made as of late Tuesday night.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Sony is considering not releasing The Interview on Dec. 25 at all, but a rep for the studio has not responded to BuzzFeed News' request for confirmation in that regard.
BuzzFeed News also reached out to reps for the Regal Cinemas, AMC Theaters, and Cinemark movie chains regarding their plans for The Interview, but they have yet to respond.
Adam B. Vary and Jaimie Etkin also contributed to this story.
No comments:
Post a Comment