Hollywood Reacts To Sony Pulling The Plug On ‘The Interview’
'The Interview' is over. Sony has not only canceled the December 25th release of the movie, they've pulled their TV campaign over hacker threats, losing $60 million in marketing costs.
Sony released a statement:
'In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film 'The Interview,' we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release. We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers. Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. 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, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.'
Hollywood is reacting over the news and they aren't happy.
Sad day for creative expression. #feareatsthesoul
— Steve Carell (@SteveCarell) December 17, 2014
Saw @Sethrogen at JFK. Both of us have never seen or heard of anything like this. Hollywood has done Neville Chamberlain proud today.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 17, 2014
Really hard to believe this is the response to a threat to freedom of expression here in America.
#TheInterview
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) December 18, 2014
I think it is disgraceful that these theaters are not showing The Interview. Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now?
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) December 17, 2014
Dear Sony Hackers: now that u run Hollywood, I'd also like less romantic comedies, fewer Michael Bay movies and no more Transformers.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 17, 2014
No one should kid themselves. With the Sony collapse America has lost its first cyberwar. This is a very very dangerous precedent.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 17, 2014
Sad day for #Hollywood . I get it, better safe than sorry. Just making me feel that we lost against tyranny, without a fight.
#TheInterview
— Gilles Marini (@GillesMarini) December 18, 2014
You won't be able to see 'The Interview' in the comfort of your own home either. Sony won't release it on DVD or video on demand either.
Before all this, I had no interest in watching the movie. Now, the hackers are making me and most of America want to see it, whether its good or not.
Hollywood isn't happy. What do you think? Should Sony have caved after hacker threats?