Celebrities react to Sony pulling The Interview

IN a shock decision, Sony Pictures has seemingly bowed to threats from hackers and pulled The Interview from release — and Hollywood’s not happy.

Bad news if you were looking forward to seeing Seth Rogen in The Interview. Picture: AP

SOME of Hollywood’s biggest names have united in voicing their frustration and disappointment that the upcoming comedy The Interview has been pulled from release schedules.

The unidentified hackers behind the Sony leaks demanded that the movie studio cancel its upcoming release of the movie The Interview, a comedy that included a gruesome scene depicting the assassination of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.

The Interview: Release cancelled after hacker threats

Sony Pictures, appearing to bow to that demand, has cancelled the Christmas Day release.

“In light of the decision by the majority of our (theatre) exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the ... theatrical release,” it said in a statement today.

James Franco, Lizzy Caplan and Seth Rogen in the film. Picture: AP

The largest theatre chains in the US decided not to play the controversial comedy after hackers vowed a 9/11-style attack at cinemas where the film is screened.

In the wake of the news, performers across Hollywood to express their views on the decision — and it seems most think Sony Pictures have made a big mistake in seemingly bowing to the demands of the hackers. Here’s a selection:

There goes my Hitler comedy.

— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) December 17, 2014

Wow. Everyone caved. The hackers won. An utter and complete victory for them. Wow.

— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 17, 2014

I love @JamesFrancoTV and @Sethrogen and will watch them in movies any day of the week ...and I'm going off Korean BBQ for at least a month!

— Rebel Wilson (@RebelWilson) December 18, 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

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

Sad day for creative expression. #feareatsthesoul

— Steve Carell (@SteveCarell) December 17, 2014

Canceling "The Interview" seems like a pretty horrible precedent to set.

— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) 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

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

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

So every time anyone ever makes a threat to, say, a chain of stores, or all the airports in the country, we should shut 'em down?

— Richard Roeper (@richardroeper) December 17, 2014

I truly can't believe it's come to this for THE INTERVIEW. What a horrible precedent to set. Show the damn movie.

— Josh Horowitz (@joshuahorowitz) December 17, 2014

#TheInterview Is that all it takes - an anonymous threat and the numbers 911 - to throw free expression under the bus? #PussyNation

— Bill Maher (@billmaher) December 17, 2014

The film's star, co-writer and co-director, Seth Rogen, has not made a public statement since news broke that his latest movie is all-but finished before it even hit screens. As for his co-star, James Franco? Well, he seems happily ensconced in Franco-land — here’s what he tweeted directly after Sony announced their decision:

#Emmastone kills it in @cabaret!!!! #alancumming is so good I started smoking and slapped his ass. 🌲🌲❤️Bye NYC!❤️🌲🌲

— James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 17, 2014

At least he seems to be coping well.