(MENAFN- Arab Times) PARIS Dec 19 (Agencies): Sony Pictures' decision to cancel the release of its madcap comedy about North Korea after threats from hackers has caused consternation in the movie world and triggered concerns about freedom of expression. 'The Interview' starring James Franco and Seth Rogen and depicting a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un had been due to hit US cinemas on Dec 25.
But after warnings from the so-called GOP (Guardians of Peace) hacking group invoking the Sept 11 2001 attacks a number of US cinema chains cancelled plans to screen the film. As more chains confirmed they would follow suit Sony on Wednesday threw in the towel and pulled the film in a decision described by former long-time Cannes Film Festival president Gilles Jacob as 'onerous... both for the studio and freedom of expression'. Movie world figures said the fate of 'The Interview' was unparalleled and set a dangerous precedent pointing out that even Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Temptation of Christ' (1988) which sparked demonstrations in the US was still shown. Cancelled 'It is very rare that a planned release is cancelled. And in general it's because of a conflict between the director the producer and the studio' Marc Missonnier president of the French Association of Cinema Producers said. Sony's decision came hard on the heels of an embarrassing November 24 cyber-attack that saw hackers gain access to a trove of internal Sony documents and unreleased movies. Investigators reportedly believe the attack was masterminded by North Korea. The country's top military body has denied this but added that it might have been a 'righteous deed' carried out by supporters. Best-selling writer Stephen King and Hollywood actors and directors reacted with dismay at Sony's decision with some accusing Sony of caving in. 'Sony's decision to pull 'The Interview' is unsettling in so many ways. Good thing they don't publish the Satanic Verses' King wrote on Twitter. 'Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now' tweeted 'Bridesmaids' producer Judd Apatow. 'Wow. Everyone caved. The hackers won. An utter and complete victory for them. Wow' actor Rob Lowe who has a small cameo role in the film said. Others said the decision had important implications for freedom of speech. Also: LOS ANGELES: Sony Pictures Entertainment could lose $75 million over the cancellation of its planned Christmas release 'The Interview' after theater owners refused to play the picture amid threats of violence from cyber-terrorists who hacked the studio. That figure includes the $44 million that Sony spent producing the film as well as the $30 million it shelled out to promote it according to two people with knowledge of the matter. One of those sources said that Sony had originally planned on spending $36 million to market the picture domestically and was eight days away from premiering it in theaters when it was shelved. That meant most of its billboards posters other promotional materials and TV ad spend were already in place. Insurance will cover a portion of the costs but not the full amount these people said. The studio might eventually succeed in selling off the picture to another party that could release it via video-on-demand or through a subscription streaming service like Netflix. But at this juncture it seems unlikely that any company would touch the film out of fear of getting hacked as well. It is widely believed that 'The Interview' may have prompted a sophisticated cyber-attack on Sony that resulted in leaked emails film budgets and the personal information of thousands of employees. Most major theater chains opted not to screen the film this week after hackers evoked the memory of 9/11 and threatened violence on exhibitors who screened the film and moviegoers. 'The Interview' is a comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco about an assassination attempt on North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. North Korea has been linked to the hack and an official announcement on the source of the attack is expected in the coming days. As it became clear that releasing the film posed enormous legal liabilities for both exhibitors and Sony given the possibility that either the hackers could make good on their threat or inspire copycats a theatrical release became impossible. The studio may be partially covered by cyber-liability or terrorism insurance coverage according to Kent Hamilton president of Front Row an entertainment insurance broker. If North Korea is shown to be involved in the attack and the threats of violence that led to the picture's cancellation that coverage would help stem some of Sony's losses. 'At this point they're probably trying everything they can to recover some of the money' said Hamilton.
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