Updated — Dec. 18, 6:27 a.m. ET
In the last 24 hours, things have spiraled quickly for Sony's latest comedy, The Interview, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. Yesterday afternoon, the anonymous hacker group "Guardians of Peace" threatened an attack similar to 9/11 on anyone who goes to see the film. Shortly after, Rogen and Franco canceled all media appearances and Sony canceled the film's planned New York premiere on Thursday. The studio also said cinemas could pull out of their screening obligations without an penalty. Late into Tuesday evening and throughout Wednesday, theater chains began dropping scheduled screenings of the movie, including press viewings this week, and the National Association of Theatre Owners said individual theaters should decide whether or not they want to show the film.
The final strike came when Regal and AMC — and reportedly Cinemark — dropped the film from all their theaters. (The companies are the three largest theater chains in the U.S.) Late Wednesday, Sony stated the film would no longer be released in theaters. And the creative community in Hollywood have taken to Twitter to disagree with the way things were handled.
Actor Rob Lowe spoke with the film's star in the midst of everything.
Saw @Sethrogen at JFK. Both of us have never seen or heard of anything like this. Hollywood has done Neville Chamberlain proud today.
Producer, director, and screenwriter Judd Apatow took to Twitter on Wednesday to state his opinion on movie theaters deciding to not screen The Interview.
I think it is disgraceful that these theaters are not showing The Interview. Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now?
He made an analogy.
What if an anonymous person got offended by something an executive at Coke said. Will we all have to stop drinking Coke?
And discussed the level of the threat.
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
But argued that this action will not deter people from seeing the film.
This only guarantees that this movie will be seen by more people on Earth than it would have before. Legally or illegally all will see it.
Late night host Jimmy Kimmel was on the same page.
. @JuddApatow I agree wholeheartedly. An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent.
Filmmaker Michael Moore had a suggestion for the hackers.
Dear Sony Hackers: now that u run Hollywood, I'd also like less romantic comedies, fewer Michael Bay movies and no more Transformers.
A few, actually.
Also, Sony Hackers - I really liked Tyler Perry in "Gone Girl" so hold off on doing anything yet with Madea.
Actress Mia Farrow was upset.
Damn. Bad guys won RT @nytimes: Breaking News: Sony Pictures Cancels Holiday Release of ‘The Interview’ After Threats http://t.co/lxdhYQpUzY
Actor Joshua Malina had a suggestion for how Sony could make up for the loss of revenue.
The tv networks should reimburse Sony for the costs of The Interview and simulcast it in prime time.
Screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith joked about concerns over his next venture.
This can't be good for my BROKEBACK PUTIN spec.
Comedian Bill Maher started a new hashtag.
#TheInterview Is that all it takes - an anonymous threat and the numbers 911 - to throw free expression under the bus? #PussyNation
Actress and reality star Lisa Rinna felt this would make a difference, and not in a good way.
Canceling "The Interview" is quite a game changer in so many ways isn't it?
Correspondent and producer Josh Horowitz was mad at the example this set.
I truly can't believe it's come to this for THE INTERVIEW. What a horrible precedent to set. Show the damn movie.
As was actor Zach Braff.
Canceling "The Interview" seems like a pretty horrible precedent to set.
The First Amendment was on the mind of comedian Amy Schumer.
No bullshit though, this is seriously fucked and it's such a sad day for free speech. Frightening.
Ben Stiller also expressed his concerns about freedom of expression.
Really hard to believe this is the response to a threat to freedom of expression here in America. #TheInterview
As did Steve Carell.
Sad day for creative expression. #feareatsthesoul
Both Carell and Stiller drew comparisons to another film about a tyrant, Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator:
Chaplin
Stiller retweeted this post by filmmaker Mark Romanek:
Released by United Artists, March 1941.
Actor, director and writer Albert Brooks joked:
City of Atlanta demands all remaining prints of gone with the wind be destroyed
Screenwriter and director Joss Whedon tweeted:
Man, "The Interview" better be pretty funny, cuz there's no way I'm not watching it now.
Most American movies about other countries are offensively jingoistic. The Interview trailer ONLY makes fun of us and our media. Hmm.
I have enjoyed movies that offended me deeply. The key to humor is the key to debate, to freedom of thought: difference.
Actress Connie Britton had some choice words for the hackers.
I can't wait to watch #TheInterview. F**k you terrorists. Actually, given my constitutional right to free speech, make that FUCK you.