Sony cancelled the Interview

[scottish]

If you've been paying attention lately with the Sony Hack etc, it seems they've now cancelled the Interview lmfao idiots


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30528772



Hollywood stars have reacted with dismay after Sony cancelled the release of The Interview, a comedy film about a plot to kill North Korea's leader.

Ben Stiller called the move "a threat to freedom of expression", while Rob Lowe called it a "victory" for hackers who launched a cyber attack on Sony.

Hackers issued a warning to cinema-goers who planned to watch the movie.

President Obama recommended that "people go to the movies", but stressed that the hack was "very serious".

Speaking to US television network ABC, he added: "We'll be vigilant - if we see something that we think is serious and credible, then we'll alert the public."

Sony said they have no further release plans for the film, including as video on-demand, while the company's UK arm added: "There are currently no plans for The Interview to be shown in this country."

Several other famous names have criticised the decision to shelve the movie, accusing the studio of caving in to the hackers' threats.

Oscar-wining screenwriter Aaron Sorkin, who has already attacked the media for spreading information leaked by the hackers, said: "Today the US succumbed to an unprecedented attack on our most cherished, bedrock principle of free speech."

Actor Steve Carell called the move a "sad day for creative expression".

On Wednesday it emerged that Carell's planned film project, a thriller called Pyongyang about a Westerner working in North Korea, was scrapped ahead of Sony's announcement.

By Tim Masters, BBC News entertainment correspondent
Sony's decision to pull the release of The Interview is viewed by industry insiders as a game changer.

Films have been pulled from cinemas before, but the set of circumstances around The Interview are unprecedented.

Sony's decision came after major US cinema chains had yanked the film from their Christmas schedules over security fears. One chain, Regal, also cited Sony's "wavering support" of the film among its concerns.

What's surprised some is why Sony pulled the film completely. It has confirmed there are no further release plans, including on DVD release or a VOD launch - which would have helped recoup The Interview's estimated $42m (£27.5m) budget.

Among the questions being asked in Hollywood now are was Sony's reaction too fearful? And what are the wider implications? Many Hollywood stars are concerned about the threat to free expression.

There's also the issue of how this will the impact on box office takings over the traditionally busy Christmas period.

So when have films been pulled from cinemas before? One of the best known cases was when Stanley Kubrick withdrew A Clockwork Orange from British cinemas in 1973 after protests about the violence in the film. It was unseen in UK cinemas for 27 years.

Studios have had to take tough decisions due to unforeseen circumstances. Following a mass shooting in a Colorado cinema during a 2012 screening of The Dark Knight Rises, US cinemas tightened security and Warner Bros scaled down its promotional plans. The film went on to box office success.

But in the case of The Interview, it looks as if it will not be coming to a cinema near you any time soon.

Comedian Jimmy Kimmel tweeted that the decision by theatres to refuse to show the film was "an un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent."

Film producer Judd Apatow, meanwhile, offered a different slant on the move, saying: "This only guarantees that this movie will be seen by more people on earth than it would have before. Legally or illegally all will see it."

'Extremely disappointed'
Sony said it was "deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie".

"We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatre-goers," the studio said.

It added: "We stand by our film-makers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome."

The cancellation comes after hackers calling themselves Guardians of Peace released emails and data stolen from Sony in late November.

In a later warning to cinemas screening The Interview, they referred to the 9/11 attacks, claiming "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," the hacker group wrote, in a message on Tuesday.

"Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment."

Sony had given theatres in the US and Canada the option to bow out of showing The Interview in the wake of the threats.

Regal Cinemas, AMC Entertainment and Cinemark Theatres - the top three theatre chains in North America - subsequently announced they were postponing screenings, and Canada's biggest theatre firms also pulled out, leaving Sony seemingly no choice but to postpone the film.

However, the Alamo Drafthouse cinema in Texas has decided to replace The Interview with a screening of Team America, a film featuring a marionette of late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of Kim Jong-un.

[GommeInc]

It seemed pretty obvious they would. Critics said they wouldn't consider going as it wasn't a film worth seeing and cinemas were asked whether they would show it and they said no. So it made sense to cancel it. It seemed pretty pants anyway. Amazingly Team America: World Police made it through the cracks years ago - it makes you wonder if they've heard of it or seen it :P

[lemons]

that's a shame it looks funny

maybe netflix can get it

[FlyingJesus]

Was prob gonna be a crap film anyway tbh but oh well up to a company to do what it wants with the content it owns

[OldLoveSong]

welp if there were a movie made in north korea bout killing obama im sure threats would be goin bak and forth aswell

[karter]

were people actually excited about a seth rogan movie

[Ms.Aquamarine]

welp if there were a movie made in north korea bout killing obama im sure threats would be goin bak and forth aswell

Lol exactly! Same thing I also said to someone today. :P The movie looked ridiculous to me anyways!

[scottish]

http://i.imgur.com/vK8sJ5E.jpg

lol just came across this.

[scottish]

Obama holding a news conference supposedly on the north koreas cyber terrorism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EzA2qudZpBY

[lemons]

damn didn't think it was this serious

[xxMATTGxx]

Sony really haven't had a great time with hacks over the recent years.

[e5]

Heard about this on the news. I want to see the film now because of this!

[Chippiewill]

Paramount have also order cinemas not to do showings of Team America instead.

[-:Undertaker:-]

Paramount have also order cinemas not to do showings of Team America instead.

Shame. I really want another Team America to be released too, great film.

[FlyingJesus]

Nuclear war over America being cyberbullied

[FlyingJesus]

lol North Korea are saying that they want to do a joint inquest with the US into who did it because it totes wasn't them, and they want everyone to apologise to them OR ELSE

[The Don]

Now Sony are saying they are going to try and release the film still...

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-30559169

[FlyingJesus]

Yeah they're just not doing it in cinemas because of bomb threats which is fairly reasonable I'd say

Oh what I got marmite on my shirt this is the worst day ever

[Chippiewill]

They're not going to do it in cinemas because basically every cinema chain said they wouldn't show it. There's not much point in showing it in just a handful of cinemas. It just means someone will leak a copy and everyone will pirate it instead and Sony will make like $10 off the whole thing.

[AgnesIO]

lol North Korea are saying that they want to do a joint inquest with the US into who did it because it totes wasn't them, and they want everyone to apologise to them OR ELSE

They did make one amusing comment, though - even thought they are lying...

"If we investigate it, we won't use torture, unlike the CIA" :P

[scottish]

They did make one amusing comment, though - even thought they are lying...

"If we investigate it, we won't use torture, unlike the CIA" :P

if they did get a joint investigation, North korea will 'investigate' it, murder the group responsible so they can't say "oh you paid us to do it" and end it lol

[AgnesIO]

if they did get a joint investigation, North korea will 'investigate' it, murder the group responsible so they can't say "oh you paid us to do it" and end it lol

Oh, of course, I just found their comment amusing (and a little ironic.. :L)

[scottish]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-30589472

some independent US cinemas will be showing it.

[-:Undertaker:-]

I find it hard to believe North Korea was behind this, Hollywood stunt? CIA stunt with political motives? Wouldn't surprise me.

[scottish]

I don't, apparently North Koreas internet has been down most of today.

[David]

I don't, apparently North Koreas internet has been down most of today.

heard south korea changed the pw

[scottish]

People thinking it was US in conjunction with China responsible (as N.Korea internet goes through China)

But experts think if US were to respond as they have threatened it'll be a calculated response and wouldn't be something as small as this.

So some think it's the like of Anonymous etc

[Richie]

The trailer actually looks hilarious, i think kim needs to relax, he's throwing his nukes out of his pram, he should grab a beer and go watch it himself, he can laugh at how hilarious and alike his hair looks.

[scottish]

The trailer actually looks hilarious, i think kim needs to relax, he's throwing his nukes out of his pram, he should grab a beer and go watch it himself, he can laugh at how hilarious and alike his hair looks.

I think it looks crap tbh, the who issue around it would be more entertaining than watching it.

But like most people I will watch it due to this publicity.

[Richie]

I think it looks crap tbh, the who issue around it would be more entertaining than watching it.

But like most people I will watch it due to this publicity.

Ah man it actually looks hilarious, apparently sony are considering youtube but i'd imagine it'll be a sub fee or something. Perhaps they'll go with netflix.

[scottish]

Ah man it actually looks hilarious, apparently sony are considering youtube but i'd imagine it'll be a sub fee or something. Perhaps they'll go with netflix.

I think they'll release it in cinemas somewhere down the line (major release, not just indy cinemas) it's the only way they'd get their money back really it was what like $42m?

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Ah man it actually looks hilarious, apparently sony are considering youtube but i'd imagine it'll be a sub fee or something. Perhaps they'll go with netflix.

I think they'll release it in cinemas somewhere down the line (major release, not just indy cinemas) it's the only way they'd get their money back really it was what like $42m?

[Richie]

I think they'll release it in cinemas somewhere down the line (major release, not just indy cinemas) it's the only way they'd get their money back really it was what like $42m?

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I think they'll release it in cinemas somewhere down the line (major release, not just indy cinemas) it's the only way they'd get their money back really it was what like $42m?

na i don't think so man, they'll pursue other options and make a change to the world in regards to how movies are released, you heard it here first.

[scottish]

na i don't think so man, they'll pursue other options and make a change to the world in regards to how movies are released, you heard it here first.

It's Sony, don't get your hopes up :P They'll do whatever they can that's the most profitable for them, they'll need to get their $42m back :P

[Richie]

It's Sony, don't get your hopes up :P They'll do whatever they can that's the most profitable for them, they'll need to get their $42m back :P

but if very few cinemas will broadcast the movie, there's no point, they'd be better off releasing it on netflix or sparkin a deal with youtube to stream it but users have to purchase a 'pass' to watch it or something.

[scottish]

but if very few cinemas will broadcast the movie, there's no point, they'd be better off releasing it on netflix or sparkin a deal with youtube to stream it but users have to purchase a 'pass' to watch it or something.

Yeah but most pulled out over the threats of attacks, if it's delayed for a few months it'll probably be released without an issue (especially if the US do respond/catch the people who done it).

I don't think they'd get anywhere near the cost via Netflix or Youtube though :P

[Richie]

Yeah but most pulled out over the threats of attacks, if it's delayed for a few months it'll probably be released without an issue (especially if the US do respond/catch the people who done it).

I don't think they'd get anywhere near the cost via Netflix or Youtube though :P

You'd be surprised, publicity is on their side. Then again obama might call out cinemas / sony and ask if they would not comply terrorist threats.

[scottish]

Even with publicity on their side, Netflix or Youtube isn't going to pay them anywhere near $42m for the rights to distribute it.

[Richie]

Even with publicity on their side, Netflix or Youtube isn't going to pay them anywhere near $42m for the rights to distribute it.

if they make that much back off streams they would have to. And if youtube added a pay now button, that would generate loads. Maybe not 42m tho.

[scottish]

if they make that much back off streams they would have to. And if youtube added a pay now button, that would generate loads. Maybe not 42m tho.

Netflix etc don't pay based on that though.

Like Spotify pay based on how much it's played, I doubt Netflix is the exact same but it'll be some sort of policy similar to that I'd imagine.

I doubt they buy films outright for millions to get a few plays.

[Richie]

Netflix etc don't pay based on that though.

Like Spotify pay based on how much it's played, I doubt Netflix is the exact same but it'll be some sort of policy similar to that I'd imagine.

I doubt they buy films outright for millions to get a few plays.


FilmOn? maybe or they could also do something through their marketplace but id imagine they'd look for other avenues.

[scottish]

Isn't filmon free? Google says so anyway :P never heard of it before though.

[Richie]

Isn't filmon free? Google says so anyway :P never heard of it before though.

i thought it was a paid subscription. my bad.

Do you think the us will take action against kim if they find solid proof that it was him sending threats?

[scottish]

i thought it was a paid subscription. my bad.

Do you think the us will take action against kim if they find solid proof that it was him sending threats?

Would like to believe so. Would be interesting to see to say the least :P

Yourself?

[Richie]

Would like to believe so. Would be interesting to see to say the least :P

Yourself?

Meh highly unlikely the threats will be carried out regardless, he always sends threats, wouldn't be surprised if the us were involved in taken down their internet.

[scottish]

Meh highly unlikely the threats will be carried out regardless, he always sends threats, wouldn't be surprised if the us were involved in taken down their internet.

Doubt they were, it wasn't really a 'well thought out' response, I think they'd do a calculated attack not just take down the internet which only the elites/govts have access to :P

[Richie]

Doubt they were, it wasn't really a 'well thought out' response, I think they'd do a calculated attack not just take down the internet which only the elites/govts have access to :P

hacker group then perhaps? i still don't think much action will be taken on either side.

[scottish]

Some people think it's Anonymous as they said they were unhappy with the interview being pulled.

[Richie]

Some people think it's Anonymous as they said they were unhappy with the interview being pulled.

could be actually, is there any official anonymous accounts on twitter you know of? so I can check if they've mentioned anything about this topic.

[scottish]

https://twitter.com/youranonnews

All tweets regarding the protests in USA though :P

[Richie]

https://twitter.com/youranonnews

All tweets regarding the protests in USA though :P


are these protests in regards to this or something unrelated?

[scottish]

Unrelated, not really looked up what the protests are about (I wouldn't imagine Ferguson?) just seen it a few times on Anon twitter over past few days.

[Richie]

Unrelated, not really looked up what the protests are about (I wouldn't imagine Ferguson?) just seen it a few times on Anon twitter over past few days.

Ah i see, anyway if you notice any further news in relation to this make sure to tag me!!! interesting stuff.

[scottish]

Ah i see, anyway if you notice any further news in relation to this make sure to tag me!!! interesting stuff.

Is that in regards to the Sony incident or the current Protests?

[Richie]

Is that in regards to the Sony incident or the current Protests?

Sony, posting about the protests would be sending the thread off topic! you could post about the protests in a separate thread though, both are pretty serious!

[scottish]

Sony, posting about the protests would be sending the thread off topic! you could post about the protests in a separate thread though, both are pretty serious!

Yeah would have to read up on the purpose of the protests, not something I'm rushing to do though :P

If anyone knows feel free to make a thread explaining it or PM!

All right, will keep this thread updated with any news I hear about the Sony Hacking :)

[scottish]

http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/2/7482105/us-hits-north-korea-with-sanctions-over-sony-pictures-hack

US have imposed further sanctions on North Korea

"This step reflects the ongoing commitment of the United States to hold North Korea accountable for its destabilizing, destructive and repressive actions, particularly its efforts to undermine US cyber-security and intimidate US businesses and artists exercising their right of freedom of speech," the Treasury said.

The sanctions target three North Korean entities, including the government's primary intelligence agency and a local arms dealer. Ten people affiliated with those entities and the North Korean government are also being hit with sanctions. Sanctioned businesses and individuals are barred from accessing the United States financial system, and American citizens are strictly forbidden from carrying out business with those named in today's retaliatory measure.

[scottish]

http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/4/7489775/north-korea-responds-to-us-sanctions-sony-hack

North Korea replied

North Korea has accused the US of "groundlessly stirring up bad blood" towards the country after imposing sanctions in response to the alleged hack on Sony Pictures. A spokesperson for North Korea’s Foreign Ministry denied that the country had been involved in the cyberattack on the movie studio and said that Washington’s refusal to participate in a joint investigation to find the real culprits revealed its "guilty conscience."

The US announced new economic sanctions against Pyongyang on Friday, targeting ten individuals and three North Korean entities, including the country's primary intelligence agency. North Korea's response this Sunday said that the US was attempting to further isolate the country from the international community, and that the sanctions only strengthened its resolve to pursue its military-first policy.

"The policy persistently pursued by the US to stifle the DPRK [North Korea], groundlessly stirring up bad blood towards it, would only harden its will and resolution to defend the sovereignty of the country," a spokesperson for North Korea reportedly told state-run KCNA news agency. "The persistent and unilateral action taken by the White House to slap 'sanctions' against the DPRK patently proves that it is still not away from inveterate repugnancy and hostility toward the DPRK."

North Korea previously praised the hacks on Sony as a "righteous deed" and described The Interview — a comedy about the assassination of the North’s leader Kim Jong-Un — as an "act of war." Although the FBI has officially declared North Korea responsible for the cyberattack on Sony Pictures, a number of private security specialists have expressed doubt that the country was involved.

[GommeInc]

It's quite disturbing how there is no definitive answer on who actually attacked Sony Pictures. If the US is targeting North Korea and they're not wholly to blame they're only further adding to the tensions. If North Korea genuinely wants to find the real culprits then the US should be working with them rather than shunning them, which knowing them will only make feelings of anger grow in the country. Besides, can you really blame them for disliking the release of the film? Assassination aside, it's awful :P