Sony Pictures Cancels Release Of 'The Interview'

(RTTNews) - The terrorists, in this case, have won.

In an unprecedented move that may have far-reaching cultural and political effects, Sony Pictures has scrapped the release of "The Interview."

The plot of the film, a comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, revolves around a fictional assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Hackers threatened 9/11-style attacks on theaters showing the movie, prompting major American theater chains to say they would not display the film.

"Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time," the hacker group wrote in a message on Tuesday.

"Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment."

The big-budget movie was expected to be a holiday blockbuster for Sony Pictures.

Sony had been prepared to release the film even after hackers staged a brazen cyber attack on the company earlier this month, releasing embarrassing e-mails and personal data including the health records of studio employee.

However, given the credible threat of violence against movie-goers, the studio felt forced to capitulate:

"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," it said.

"We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatre-goers."

American officials have concluded that North Korea was "centrally involved" in the hacking of Sony Pictures computers prior to the threats of terrorism, the New York Times reports.

"We know that criminals and foreign countries regularly seek to gain access to government and private sector networks - both in the United States and elsewhere," a National Security Council statement said.

"We take very seriously any attempt to threaten or limit artists' freedom of speech or of expression."

The Obama administration is said to be preparing an official response.