In the latest episode of the Sony hack, Hollywood Reporter says that Carmike Cinemas, which operates 278 theaters and 2,917 screens in 41 states, will not show the Sony comedy "The Interview" following threats of violence from hackers. Sony Pictures told exhibitors who had booked The Interview that it planned to move forward with the movie's release, but that they were free to decide not to show the film, and that the studio would support them in whatever decision they made.
Citing 9/11, the hackers issued a warning and said, "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." The situation is also raising concerns among studios that the threat of violence could keep some movie-goers away from the multiplex over the lucrative holiday movie-going period. "This is bad for everyone. This will stop people from going to theaters, and that affects all of us," says one source at a rival studio. "If somebody called a bomb threat for a concert, and it was credible, you'd have to cancel or postpone the concert."
(Score: 3, Interesting) by gman003 on Thursday December 18 2014, @02:21PM
At least one theater is replacing it with screenings of Team America: World Police (more will probably do so, considering the good publicity that one is getting). At the theater-level, that's probably the best they can do.
(Score: 2) by edIII on Thursday December 18 2014, @06:21PM
They're not a theater. That's the Alamo Drafthouse, which I consider sufficiently different from your average peasant experiences.
Started in Austin, Texas which might make it a little clearer why they are showing Team America for free. Not much reason to be afraid when it's Texas and there would be concealed carries all over the place on opening night.
Maybe they changed a bit, but I think you could even buy beer in a real glass at the original ones in Austin. Very upscale. Even if they lost that, they are very serious about no talking and disruptions. Which is a great feature to me, since it involves less police officers needing to be called when I stupidly attempt to visit a regular theater again. Thankfully, I've not made that mistake for almost a year.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.
(Score: 1, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday December 18 2014, @11:41PM
> At least one theater is replacing it with screenings of Team America: World Police
Not any more, that one has been banned too. [independent.co.uk] Paramount also cancelled a Steve Carell film set in North Korea that was going start production in March.
At this point I don't see any conspiracy here, I see hollywood execs running around like chickens with their heads cut off. Given that industry runs on fear of the next big flop causing people to lose their jobs, the stuff is exactly what I would expect.