In Wake Of Fresh Threats, Carmike Cinemas Jettison Showings Of "The Interview"

The latest twist in the Sony hacking saga that appears to be motivated by the upcoming movie "The Interview," a comedy in which actors James Franco and Seth Rogen are tasked by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with assassinating North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, is that hackers have begun threatening movie goers who see the flick with violence. This has prompted Carmike Cinemas to cancel its planned showings of the movie.

Carmike Cinemas, the fourth largest cinema chain in the nation, operates 278 theaters across 41 states. According to reports, Sony Pictures Entertainment told theater owners that it would be supportive of their individual decisions on whether or not to show the film -- it's scheduled to release on Christmas Day in the U.S.


The note put out by hackers reads as follows:

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. Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made.

The world will be full of fear.

Remember the 11th of September 2001.

We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time.

(If your house is nearby, you’d better leave.)

Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment.

All the world will denounce the SONY

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security hasn't found any evidence yet to substantiate the threat, and it's not clear if the hackers involved with infiltrating Sony are the same ones who emailed the above note to members of the press.

Nevertheless, theaters are playing it cautious. In addition to Carmike Cinemas opting not to show "The Interview," the New York premiere of the movie has also been cancelled. This is the first time a movie screening has been pulled due to a cyber attack.