White House ‘Applauds’ Sony For Surprise Release Of ‘The Interview’

FILE - 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 showi... FILE - 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) MORE LESS
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The Obama administration reportedly welcomed news on Monday that Sony Pictures had decided on a limited release for its North Korea-themed comedy “The Interview.”

CNN reported that a White House spokesman said “the president applauds Sony’s decision to authorize screenings of the film.”

“As the president made clear, we’re a country that believes in free speech and the right of artistic expression,” the spokesman told the network.

Sony’s move was a reversal from Wendesday, when it canceled the film’s Christmas Day release after major theater chains dropped out due of threats of a 9/11-style attack from an anonymous group of hackers.

President Obama called the initial decision “a mistake” in a press conference on Friday.

“I’m sympathetic to the concerns that they faced,” he said. “Having said all that, yes, I think they made a mistake.”

CNN also reported that the FBI is working with Sony to release the film due to persistent security concerns surrounding the threats from hackers.

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Notable Replies

  1. Kabuki theater if ever there was…I’m calling this one as coordinated PR efforts.

  2. I barely knew who Seth Rogen was before the controversy about his movie. Money can’t buy the kind of publicity he and James Franco are getting out of this.

  3. Ya think?

  4. Ya THINK?

  5. Hey, and I’ll applaud when the public ignores this pornographic filth

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

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