Sony seems to have found some theaters willing to show its movie “The Interview.” The movie, a comedy about an assignation plot of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, will now open in several hundred independent cinemas rather than large chains.
The company had planned a wide Christmas release in more than 3,000 cinemas. That idea was scrapped after hackers, believed to be tied to the North Korean government, hacked Sony’s computers and released company secrets on the internet. The hackers also threatened theaters showing the movie with 9/11 style attacks.
Alamo Drafthouse, a Texas-based chain with about 20 locations, was among the first to announce that it would play the film. CEO Tim League congratulated Sony for the move. The Plaza Atlanta theater also planned to show the movie. On Dec. 17, Sony had stated flatly that they had “no further release plans” for the movie. The company had backed away from that stance amid criticism by the public, government and Hollywood film community.
There is also speculation that Sony will release the movie via Video on Demand, but no on-demand provider have been willing to handle the VOD release so far.
“We have never given up on releasing ‘The Interview”and we’re excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment, in a release. “At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience.”
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