THE INTERVIEW Gets Pulled From Theaters, May Get VOD Release

Yesterday, the hacker group that brought Sony Pictures to its knees by perpetrating the largest corporate hack in history released a statement declaring if theaters exhibit the Seth Rogen, James Franco comedy The Interview, there will be a “9/11-style” attack on theaters across the country.

Today, five major theater chains including AMC, Regal, Carmike, Cinemark, and Cineplex decided to pull the film from their listings. Moments after writing that last sentence Sony announced they would be pulling it from all theaters.

Now Sony has to figure out what to do with the movie, which they were surely banking on for strong returns, with the original premiere date set for Christmas Day. According to Variety, a VOD release is something they are discussing, which would enable people to enjoy some laughs in the comfort of their own homes without the fear of being bombed.

What are your thoughts on this debacle? Are Sony and the theater owners doing the right thing, or should they constitute their first amendment right and not back down to idle threats?