It looks like the Guardians of Peace have won, as Sony Pictures has decided to cancel the theatrical release of The Interview. This news comes after major cinema chains in the US pulled out of showing the movie over its Christmas debut, along with additional threats from the hackers that they would pull another 9/11 style attack on any cinema that showed the movie.
Sony Pictures has cited wavering support for the movie as the main reason for pulling the plug, although it is understandable that the studio would play it safe after the massive cyber attack that crippled its entire operation. Employees of Sony Pictures were said to have resorted to using pencils for days as technicians attempted to repair the damage caused.
This announcement came shortly after the US announced that it has concluded that North Korea was behind the attack. While the US intelligence community is currently unwilling to reveal what evidence it has, senior officials have said that the government is considering making a formal accusation of cyberterrorism against the communist state. While this revelation is not entirely surprising, it has taken a very long time to become official.
Spokesmen from Sony Pictures have also noted that The Interview will not be released in any form. This includes Blu-Ray, DVD, or streaming services. Another movie starring Steve Carell which also features North Korea as a setting has been cancelled.
The far reaching consequences of the cyber attack are still being felt as the GoP are still threatening to release even more stolen information. Nobody is sure just how much data was stolen, but it easily runs into the terabytes; and the hackers still have plenty to to share with the world.
[Source: Ars Technica, New York Times]
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