News for North Texas
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Alamo Drafthouse In Richardson Will Show 'The Interview' On Christmas

Sony Pictures
Sony had canceled the release of "The Interview" after theaters were threatened. Now some are going to show the movie Christmas Day. The movie features James Franco, left, and Seth Rogen.

The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Richardson and the Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff are among several movie theaters across the U.S. that will screen “The Interview” on Christmas. 

Sony had canceled the release of “The Interview,” which depicts a hapless assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Sony, which is dealing with the fallout from a massive hacking scandal, canceled the release after theaters were threatened.

Alamo Drafthouse said on Tuesday that Sony has authorized it to screen the film starting Christmas Day. Atlanta's Plaza Theater also said it will show the film. 

Representatives for Sony did not immediately comment.

Such a release would enable "The Interview" to open in select theaters and avoid the national chains that dropped the North Korea satire last week. Sony's cancellation of the movie following terrorist threats from hackers drew widespread criticism, including from President Barack Obama.

The FBI has said the attacks on Sony came from North Korea.  

Last week, Alamo Drafthouse had pledged to screen "Team America: World Police," which lampoons Kim's late father, Kim Jong Il. Then it changed its plans.

James Wallace, programmer and creative manager for Alamo Drafthouse DFW, talked with KERA about the decision to show the film. He says that demand has been really high – all of the Thursday showings sold out quickly.

Wallace said: “I think some people were saying, ‘We want to see this movie because we want to see this movie.' And I think other people were saying, ‘We want to see this movie because we want a country of freedom of expression and freedom to make the art that you want to make and show it.’"

Wallace added: “I’m sure Seth Rogen and James Franco never imagined their film being at the center of this freedom of art discussion – the two guys that made 'Pineapple Express.' But it was, and it is.”

Statement from Alamo Drafthouse

Alamo Drafthouse CEO Tim League released a statement Tuesday afternoon: "We cannot imagine the pressures that have been affecting Sony, at all levels of the organization they have been under attack. Amidst this unwarranted chaos, they have regrouped and listened to the public, the government and the exhibition community and responded with resolve and determination. At 10:45 a.m., Sony bookers approved screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema and other arthouse and independent theaters across the country. This is the best Christmas gift anyone could give us. We, both distributors and exhibitors, have collectively stood firm to our principles and for the right to freedom of expression. Two days til Christmas, and I am proud to be an American."

Stephen Becker is executive producer of the "Think with Krys Boyd," which airs on more than 200 stations across the country. Prior to joining the Think team in 2013, as part of the Art&Seek team, Stephen produced radio and digital stories and hosted "The Big Screen" — a weekly radio segment about North Texas film — with Chris Vognar.