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Update: Sony cancels opening of 'The Interview' after threats

 
James Franco, left, and Seth Rogen star in the comedy "The Interview." 
(AP Photo/Columbia Pictures, Sony, Ed Araquel)
James Franco, left, and Seth Rogen star in the comedy "The Interview." (AP Photo/Columbia Pictures, Sony, Ed Araquel)
Published Dec. 17, 2014

This time, the terrorists won.

Bowing to the cyber-threat of a "Christmas Day surprise" at movie theaters, Sony announced Wednesday that The Interview will not debut Dec. 25, as planned.

Never before has Hollywood's money train been derailed by a terrorist warning.

The Interview stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as TV journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un.

The threat came Tuesday, part of a recent invasion of Sony's computer system by hackers calling themselves the Guardians of Peace. Some speculate the group is based in North Korea, retaliating for The Interview's mockery of their leader.

A clip from The Interview leaked by the Guardians of Peace shows Kim (Randall Park) blown up by a slo-mo missile strike while Katy Perry's hit Firework plays.

Sony's announcement came after North America's five largest movie theater chains announced Wednesday they would not screen it.

Three of those chains control nearly all Tampa Bay multiplexes: AMC, Regal and Carmike Cinemas.

A statement from the Department of National Security said no credible evidence of a terrorist attack on U.S. movie theaters.