NEW YORK — The top theater chains in North America have dropped “The Interview” after hackers threatened terrorist attacks at theaters showing the comedy, effectively squashing the Christmas Day release of the film.
RELATED: Theater chain decides not to show “The Interview” after hack, pressure from N. Korea
Regal Cinemas, AMC and Cinemark have each pulled the movie. In a statement, Regal said it was delaying any showings of “The Interview” because of “the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats.”
Hackers calling themselves Guardians of Peace on Tuesday threatened moviegoers with violence reminiscent of the terrorist attacks of September 11th.
On Wednesday the Director of Corporate Communications at AMC Theatres sent the following statement to FOX 4 News:
“As friends and families make plans for the upcoming holidays, AMC has received many questions about which movies we are playing in the weeks ahead. The recent cancellation of The Interview’s premiere and publicity appearances by its leading talent, and the overall confusion and uncertainty that has been created in the marketplace, brings into serious doubt whether the movie will open at all next week. At this time, to best enable AMC guests to plan their holiday movie-going with certainty and confidence, AMC is programming its theatres without ‘The Interview.'”
Sony did not immediately comment on the news Wednesday. On Tuesday, the studio told exhibitors that the company understood if exhibitors pulled the film in light of the threats.
The country’s fourth largest chain, Carmike, pulled its scheduled showing of the film Tuesday.
