The Interview: Sony cancel release of Kim Jong-un satire following threats

Sony Pictures has officially cancelled the planned US release of The Interview amid threats.

16:48 18 December 2014

Sony Pictures has cancelled the December 25 American opening of The Interview, which is about a fictional plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, after major cinema chains decided not to screen it amid violent threats.

Hackers, who carried out a massive cyber-attack on Sony, warned the public to stay away from cinemas that will show the movie asking that potential moviegoers ‘remember the events of September 11th’.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council has released a statement saying it considered a “range of options” on how to respond to the attack. "We know that criminals and foreign countries regularly seek to gain access to government and private sector networks - both in the United States and elsewhere.”

"We take very seriously any attempt to threaten or limit artists' freedom of speech or of expression."

Meanwhile, Sony has said that it understood its partners’ decision to cancel the screening of the movie.

However, in a statement it said it was "deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie".

"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," it said.

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