Update: Celebrity comment continues to pour out on Twitter about Sony's decision to pull The Interview: See what Jimmy Kimmel, Ben Stiller, Dax Shepard, David Walliams, Damon Wayans Jr., and others had to say.
Sony has decided to pull The Interview's theatrical release date following a 9/11-like threat from the Sony hackers and celebrities like Rob Lowe and Judd Apatow are not happy.
The decision to pull the upcoming North Korean comedy came on Wednesday, Dec. 17, after select theaters in the United States announced they would not be screening the movie come it's now-axed Christmas release date.
"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," Sony Pictures announced in a statement. "We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers."
On Tuesday, Dec. 16, the hackers, who are behind the handful of compromising emails written by Sony execs that were leaked to the press, issued a threat which warned, "Warning…We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places 'The Interview' be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to…Remember the 11th of September 2001."
Following the alarming threat, Sony called off the film's New York City premiere which was scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 18. The film's stars James Franco and Seth Rogen also backed out of all scheduled press.
While Sony believes in the "safety of employees and theater-goers," the celebrities below clearly disagree:
I think it is disgraceful that these theaters are not showing The Interview. Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now?
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) December 17, 2014
We also don't know that it isn't a disgruntled employee or a hacker. Do we think North Korea has troops on the ground in the US? Ridiculous
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) December 17, 2014
. @JuddApatow I agree wholeheartedly. An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) December 17, 2014
It's a sad day when @SonyPictures bow to the will of a brutal dictator who murders his own people. #TheInterview @Sethrogen @JamesFrancoTV
— David Walliams (@davidwalliams) December 18, 2014
KIM KONG UN IS A CRIMINAL AND WE CANNOT LET THEM WIN!!!! EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS AS FREE PEOPLE AND GET THEATRES TO PLAY #TheInterview!
— Lucas Till (@lucastill) December 17, 2014
Really hard to believe this is the response to a threat to freedom of expression here in America. #TheInterview
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) December 18, 2014
Wow. Everyone caved. The hackers won. An utter and complete victory for them. Wow.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 17, 2014
Saw @Sethrogen at JFK. Both of us have never seen or heard of anything like this. Hollywood has done Neville Chamberlain proud today.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 17, 2014
We do not negotiate with terrorists. We just do exactly what they say.
— Damon Wayans Yunior? (@wayansjr) December 18, 2014
Saddens me the hackers win "@Deadline: It's Official: Sony scraps 'The Interview' https://t.co/Q9NRoto3D4 #SonyHack pic.twitter.com/S1eEoUmshu"
— Ryan Rottman (@RyanRottman) December 17, 2014
Damn. Bad guys won RT @nytimes: Breaking News: Sony Pictures Cancels Holiday Release of ‘The Interview’ After Threats http://t.co/lxdhYQpUzY
— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) December 17, 2014
Canceling "The Interview" seems like a pretty horrible precedent to set.
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) December 17, 2014
Dear Sony Hackers: now that u run Hollywood, I'd also like less romantic comedies, fewer Michael Bay movies and no more Transformers.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 17, 2014
The precedent of letting a nation state get away w cyber terrorism is 1 that will set the tone for anyone who wishes 2 suppress our freedoms
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) December 18, 2014
As Sony caves to cyber-terrorism & cancels The Interview, my column on why America needs to stand up to the bullies: http://t.co/X7JxNUFKf3
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 17, 2014
While I understand the necessity to pull The Interview, it makes me furious. Free speech is the most admirable tenet in our constitution.
— dax shepard (@daxshepard1) December 18, 2014