It's a Christmas miracle for "The Interview" cast and crew. It has been confirmed on December 23 by Sony Pictures Entertainment that the comedy film Seth Rogen and James Franco will star in, will be released and shown in selected theaters, after the studio was forced to cancel its theatrical release last week after weeks of terrorist attacks, hacks, and hand-wringing.
"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," Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment stated. "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."
After learning the decision of Sony Entertainment to release "The Interview", Rogen and Franco triumphantly tweeted about it. "The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!" Rogen, actor tweeted on the 23rd.
Franco, and pal of Rogen, also expressed his overflowed joy about the good news. "VICTORY!!!!!!!" he posted. "The PEOPLE and THE PRESIDENT have spoken!!! SONY to release THE INTERVIEW in theaters on XMAS DAY!" Franco even added a rather comical part, praising President Barack Obama for his support.
"CELEBRATING!!!!!" Franco went on. "The Interview starring Seth Rogen and James Flacco saved by President Obacco! I MEAN PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!! Sorry!!!"
(Last week, the president hilariously mispronounced James Franco's name as "James Flacco" in his year-end briefing when he called out Sony for not consulting him before pulling the comedy film from the theaters. "Yes, I think they made a mistake," he told reporters in the White House.)
It was only after the series of dramatic events encircling the film, did the definite decision of Sony to release "The Interview" come. These events included the company's scandal regarding the leaked email exchanges between the company's executives and top celebrities. Subsequently, the anonymous group called the Guardians of Peace that was responsible for the hack threatened them with terror attacks in the theaters where the movie will be shown. After they received these threats, on December, Sony decided to announce the pulling of the release of the film.
On Nov. 24, the FDI suspected that the hack was linked to the North Korean government, which was later denied by the North Korean officials. "The Interview" stars James Franco and Seth Rogen as two journalists recruited by the CIA, tasked to assassinate the dictator of North Korea, Kim Jong Un.
