'Nutless weasels': US theater chains take a beating for yanking 'The Interview'; Update: Sony cancels theatrical release

Let’s just say it wouldn’t surprise us.

“The Interview” has been the subject of a whole lot of buzz lately. Not because of its cinematic value, but because a group believed to be North Korean hackers have threatened violence over it:

The threat, which may or may not have come from the same people who hacked Sony Pictures, intimated at the possibility of attacks on theaters that choose to show the movie, a completely fictional comedy about journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate Kim Jong Un. “We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time,” read the message, with “the places” apparently referring to theaters showing the film. The message also invoked the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

That vague intimidation appears to have paid off. Multiple media outlets are now reporting that several major American movie theater chains are pulling “The Interview” from their lineup.

Needless to say, the news is not going over well with the American public:

https://twitter.com/lachlan/status/545302077724172288

Dear @RegalMovies @AMCTheatres @CarmikeCinemas @Cinemark @CineplexMovies – You are spineless cowards.

— Bethany S. Mandel (@bethanyshondark) December 17, 2014

Now, this may very well be — at least in part — a product of legal handwringing:

In fairness, lawyers probably told the chains they had no choice. If there were an attack, the chains would be bankrupted by the liability.

— Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) December 17, 2014

But seriously? This is America, dammit.

Nonetheless, the Greatest Generation are spinning in their graves fast enough to power a high-speed monorail between Chicago and New York.

— Megan McArdle (@asymmetricinfo) December 17, 2014

“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. We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.

Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like. We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”