The Interview

[SwedishHeat]

Sony didn't give in to terrorists. The movie theaters refused to show it because hackers threatened violence.

Subsequently, because the film would be shown in few theaters, it would make very little money at the box office. Sony cancelled the release because they can claim it as a total loss on their insurance. Had they released it on VOD, the revenue from the film would not be nearly the same, and they couldn't make the insurance claim.

Not that Sony is blameless in this situation, but fingers should be pointed at the theater chains that didn't want to show the film. Sony was ready to move forward with the release up until these latest threats. Once the theaters refused to show the film, that forced Sony's hand. The best way to recoup their losses was to declare it a total loss. Had they released it on VOD, it likely would've been the most pirated film in history, so that wouldn't be a smart way to make the money back.

 

[Shawpaw]

Will we ever get to see this movie?

 

[Eli26]

I imagine you will one day. They canceled the movie for the foreseeable future, for precautionary measures. I find it irritating that some of the US public has shown a lack of empathy calling both Sony Pictures and the big theatre chains, cowards or pu ss.ies... If it was your information being threatened and compromised.. co-workers, your friends, and loved ones... you would be singing a different tune. Also, I think they'll still release it, but right now they are just trying to see how much hold this threat has in terms of, what are they capable of. I think it's just playing it safe, and taking appropriate measures... understanding the situation. Once they have a better understanding of things, if there is any further impact to be made from these threats, and ways to beef up security, then I see it being released. Maybe. I mean depends what's on the line, and in the end it's just a movie. I get it's the principal behind it, but there is more to this story than we think we know.

 

[Rotfish]

^ Agreed. Any credible threat must be considered when so much is at stake. Whether whomever sent the message was bluffing or not is irrelevant (and N. Korea is infamous for throwing words around); the mere chance of preventing a tragedy is worth it. And I will say Sony has actually shown some balls by keeping a movie out of theaters that would, in light of recent events, make quite a bit of money from curiosity. You rarely hear of a company avoiding a moneymaking opportunity and that's exactly what happened here. For a very good reason.

 

[Irvy]

Sony needs to update their Norton antivirus yo. Team America got released...

 

[cilantropants]

Guys, guys, guys, reasonable and thoughtful explanations are no good. Narrow your outrage beam frequency to MURICA!!! and you'll be fine.

 

[devilof76]

Sony wouldn't have to pull anything if the U.S. government gave a rat's ass about doing its job.

 

[rushmore223]

Sony wouldn't have to pull anything if the U.S. government gave a rat's ass about doing its job.

What exactly does that mean? What exactly is the U.S government supposed to do about North Korea?

 

[cilantropants]

What exactly does that mean? What exactly is the U.S government supposed to do about North Korea?

You obviously misunderstood. The answer can only be: AMERICA **** YEAH!!!!

 

[Sachiel]

What exactly does that mean? What exactly is the U.S government supposed to do about North Korea?

YTMND - Let's Nuke the Bastards

 

[batfan08]

A great interview with George Clooney about all this. He makes some very good points:

Hollywood Cowardice: George Clooney Explains Why Sony Stood Alone In North Korean Cyberterror Attack | Deadline

 

[devilof76]

What exactly does that mean? What exactly is the U.S government supposed to do about North Korea?

Defend its people, and not leave them to choose between going broke investing in private security when they pay plenty in taxes for police and military, or yielding their rights to threats from foreign enemies. The same thing happened when Iran issued its fatwah against Salman Rushdie.

You obviously misunderstood. The answer can only be: AMERICA **** YEAH!!!!

Khrushchev called them useful idiots...

 

[Rambler]

No interest in the movie either and wasn't planning on seeing it anyways. Its the whole principle of the thing that bothers me.

 

[mfoga]

Sony didn't give in to terrorists. The movie theaters refused to show it because hackers threatened violence.

Subsequently, because the film would be shown in few theaters, it would make very little money at the box office. Sony cancelled the release because they can claim it as a total loss on their insurance. Had they released it on VOD, the revenue from the film would not be nearly the same, and they couldn't make the insurance claim.

Not that Sony is blameless in this situation, but fingers should be pointed at the theater chains that didn't want to show the film. Sony was ready to move forward with the release up until these latest threats. Once the theaters refused to show the film, that forced Sony's hand. The best way to recoup their losses was to declare it a total loss. Had they released it on VOD, it likely would've been the most pirated film in history, so that wouldn't be a smart way to make the money back.

I don't blame the theater chains. This would not be the biggest draw on Christmas Day and could very likely hurt attendance of other movies that would be larger draws. Christmas Day is the biggest single day for them and showing a movie that could hurt that due to a threat no matter how laughable it may be isn't smart. They had to do what made the most sense for there business not what is best for Sony.

 

[Deckard]

You don't get it at all.

What if someone calls Sony and tells them if they don't release it by Christmas, they are going to blow up some movie theaters? Now what does Sony do? It's a credible threat as you say. They crossed the line into appeasement and now they're ****ed because more people will try thinking they also have a chance. There is a reason many Americans are disgusted at this as a much bigger issue. There is a reason we have a policy of not negotiating with terrorists. You negotiate for money for hostages and now every terrorist in the world knows if they kidnap your country's people their is money to be made.

You guys didn't learn anything from this guy?

Much like Ellis, no one will feel bad when Sony is gone.

If ISIS threatened to blow up some movie theaters unless they canned Avengers 2, I don't think you'd have the same opinion at all.

 

[karamazov80]

Don't be Ellis, Sony.

 

[Deckard]

Just wait for that angry Russian DC fanboy to dox Marvel and say no more Avengers movies.

 

[RIDDICK]

 

[crows]

You don't get it at all.

What if someone calls Sony and tells them if they don't release it by Christmas, they are going to blow up some movie theaters? Now what does Sony do? It's a credible threat as you say. They crossed the line into appeasement and now they're ****ed because more people will try thinking they also have a chance. There is a reason many Americans are disgusted at this as a much bigger issue. There is a reason we have a policy of not negotiating with terrorists. You negotiate for money for hostages and now every terrorist in the world knows if they kidnap your country's people their is money to be made.

You guys didn't learn anything from this guy?

Much like Ellis, no one will feel bad when Sony is gone.

If ISIS threatened to blow up some movie theaters unless they canned Avengers 2, I don't think you'd have the same opinion at all.

like i said earlier, censorship is going on in the US a lot more than before, people here dont even need to say they will blow up anything, just with an online petition and they are getting the same results, ban things they don't like. have companies pull out products people find offensive.
Trick R treat was shelved for 2 years because people were offended that kids were drowning, never saw a theatrical release, where was the outrage against WB? Obviously NK is making terrorist threats and that is something they will have to deal with, and they shouldn't have the power to do what they did, Im not denying that obviously. Of course not. My point is not about what they did, is about how Americans are reacting to Sony's decision, what's so bad about saving their behinds on this?
the thing I don't get is this big cry everyone is making about censorship and "MERICA FREEDOM" when other movies HAVE been banned or canceled just because people were offended by them, Where was the outcry? where was the outrage against other studios when horror movies don't get releases because parents' groups get upset for example

 

[Irvy]

The only good outcome from this is that sony go under and we get no more god awful Spoderman flicks.