In a major development Sony Pictures Entertainment has cancelled the Christmas Day release of Hollywood movie “The Interview”.
The decision was taken after major cinema multiplex groups refused to screen the movie following terror threats from hacker group Guardians of Peace.
The hackers posted a stringent warning online and wrote: “We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places The Interview be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to.”
Sony released a statement to announce the decision. The statement read; “we respect and understand our partners’ decision” and “completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatregoers.”
After interrogating the hack, US intelligence reportedly revealed that North Korea was behind the hack on Sony Pictures.
A US government official told NBC News, “We have found linkage to the North Korean government.”
The hack of Sony’s network is seen as a revenge to the Hollywood upcoming movie “The Interview”, which shows the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
As quoted by the Independant, Sony also mentioned in its statement, “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… We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”
Its a very disappointing news for all the fans who were very eagerly waiting to see the movie on Christmas. Hopefully it releases soon worldwide.