Landmark Theaters announced it was canceling the premiere of “The Interview” in New York City on the heels of a terrorism threat made by individuals who declared themselves aligned with the cyberattack against Sony.
The threat read: “We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places ’The Interview’ be shown, including the premier, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to. … Remember the 11th of September 2001.”
Following, Carmike Cinemas, one of the top theater chains with 276 screens in 37 states, opted against showing the film, The Hollywood Reporter said. Landmark Theaters joined Carmike shortly after and announced it was pulling its premiere showing of the film from New York City screens, which was due to air Thursday, The Blaze reported.
It’s not yet known if Regal Entertainment Group or AMC will halt its scheduled showing of the film. But “The Interview” is due for nationwide release on Christmas Day.
A spokesman with the Department of Homeland Security told the Wall Street Journal that “at this time, there is no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters within the United States.”
The film is a comedy about the assassination of North Korea’s Kim Jong-un. North Korea is widely believed to be behind the massive hack attack on Sony Pictures, though the nation denies its involvement.
SEE ALSO: Sony hackers up ante with terrorist threat as cybersecurity bill languishes
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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