Seth Rogen, James Franco
In this Dec. 11, 2014 file photo, actors Seth Rogen, right, and James Franco attend the premiere of the Sony Pictures' film "The Interview" in Los Angeles. Amid threats by hackers against movie theater's showing the film, Rogen and Franco pulled out of all media appearances promoting the film Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2014, canceling a Buzzfeed Q&A and Rogen's planned guest spot Thursday on "Late Night With Seth Meyers."
(Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP Images, File)
LOS ANGELES -- Carmike Cinemas has decided to cancel its planned showings of "The Interview" in the wake of threats against theatergoers.
Sony told theater owners on Tuesday that they would be supportive of their individual decisions on whether or not to show the film, which is still set for a Christmas release, according to multiple reports.
The late developments came just hours after the hackers released a data dump that they're calling a "Christmas gift." Included in the latest breach are emails from Sony co-chair and CEO Michael Lynton, as well as specific threats against patrons of the comedy, which depicts an assassination attempt against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
In a chilling message invoking the memory of 9/11, the hackers urged audiences to stay away from venues showing the film.
Carmike Cinemas operates 247 theaters across the country and is the first theater to pull the screenings of the controversial film, according to Hollywood trade publications The Hollywood Reporter and Variety.
The chain's website lists these theater locations in Ohio: Mall 6 in Ashtabula, Carmike 12 in Findlay, SOLON 16 in Solon, Ohio Valley Mall 11 in St. Clairsville, and Cinema Six in Steubenville.
The Department of Homeland Security has said that there is no credible intelligence to indicate a threat, but is still investigating the message.
The National Association of Theatre Owners had no comment about pulling of the film by its members. Neither Sony nor representatives from individual theater chains, including Carmike, responded to requests for comment.