Canada’s largest movie theatre is distancing itself from The Interview after hackers responsible for leaking internal Sony documents warned of attacks on theatres showing the new comedy film.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that Cineplex, along with four other major theatre chains, has pulled the movie from its holiday lineup just days before its Christmas Day release. The company did not respond to questions from Postmedia regarding the decision.
Starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, The Interview centres on an American talk show host and his producer travelling to North Korea to assassinate that country’s leader Kim Jong-Un for the CIA. Some have suggested the plot angered the North Korean regime enough to launch a cyber attack against the Sony movie studio in retaliation.
North Korea denies involvement but has praised the “righteous deed.”
On Tuesday, hackers responsible for the massive data breach included in the latest trove of documents posted online a warning about showing or attending screenings of The Interview: “The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September, 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. (If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)”
With 161 locations across the country, Cineplex dominates the movie theatre industry in Canada with 77 per cent of market share, as of December 2013. The company has already removed showtimes for the comedy from its website.
Source:: canada.com
