Sony cans The Interview premiere amidst attack threats
Sony has scrapped the global premiere of a controversial new comedy about the assassination of North Korean president after it received threats from hacking group Guardians of Peace that they would attack any theatre screening the film.
It is the same group which recently targeted the film’s producers, Sony Pictures, releasing confidential emails and data stolen from its servers onto the internet.
In a statement the group said: “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."
It is believed that the screening was cancelled by Landmark, the cinema chain due to host the premiere although neither they nor Sony have publicly commented. For its part North Korea denies any involvement but has described events as a ‘righteous deed’.
Fresh caches of data stolen from Sony continue to be published online, hitting the firm with a steady stream of embarrassing emails and leaked employee details.