UPDATE: Sony released a statement that The Interview will not be released in theaters on Dec. 25.
"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."
EARLIER: The Sony hackers have won in their quest to get major American movie theatre chains to pull the comedy The Interview that is set to be released on Christmas Day.
AMC, Regal and Cinemark, the top three largest chains, have decided to pull screenings of the film.
Canada's largest movie theatre chain, Cineplex, has also pulled the film. Although Sony has not yet officially cancelled the movie's big release, the film will only be able to be viewed in select, smaller movie chains.
Because these chains account for 18,000 of the 40,000 movie screens, this means that nearly half of movie theaters will not be showing the highly-anticipated film starring comedic the duo Seth Rogen and James Franco.
The major chains reportedly decided not to show The Interview during a conference call this morning with the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO).
"The ability of our guests to enjoy the entertainment they choose in safety and comfort is and will continue to be a priority for theater owners," the NATO says in a statement.
The decision to pull the movie comes after cyber attacks started in late November which caused computer systems to go down worldwide. Hackers stole personal employee information and breached thousands of emails from Sony executives, blowing the lid off of some Hollywood secrets.
Alongside the cyber attacks have been threats that have caused the film's New York City premiere to be cancelled. The Sony hackers, who call themselves "Guardians of Peace," sent emails to reporters on Tuesday that included 9/11-style attack threats on theaters that will show The Interview. The threats also warned people who live near theaters to leave their homes for their own safety.
"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," the message says. "Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made. The world will be full of fear."
As a result, Franco and Rogen cancelled press appearances, however, the Department of Homeland Security says that the threats are not credible.
Sony says it will support theater owners decisions on whether they choose to show the film or not, and will not penalize them if they go against their previous commitment to do so.
The Interview is about the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, which has caused quite an outcry among the country's government. North Korea has denied involvement in the hacks, but it is suspected to be involved.
