The Slatest

Sony Reverses Its Reversal: The Interview Will Hit (a Few) Screens on Christmas Day After All

The show will go on?

Photo by AFP/Getty Images

After a week of scathing criticism from all sides for losing its nerve and pulling The Interview, Sony Pictures on Tuesday reversed its reversal—of sorts. To the consternation of just about everyone, Sony pulled the scheduled Christmas Day release of the film in the wake of being hacked and vague threats against theaters set to screen the film. Put on the defensive, Sony pledged to release the film in some fashion, but the next step for the studio remained unclear. Independent cinemas had petitioned the studio to allow them to screen the movie, and on Tuesday a deal has been struck to release the film—on Christmas Day.

Tim League, founder of the Alamo Drafthouse theaters, announced the deal, and his plan to show The Interview on Twitter.

The Plaza Theater in Atlanta said on Tuesday it will also be one of the select theatres to screen the film.

Sony confirmed the limited release in a statement on Tuesday. “We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we’re excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day,” Sony Entertainment Chairman Michael Lynton said in a statement. “At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience.” The Wrap is also reporting that Sony is planning to simultaneously release the movie on demand.

Update, Dec. 23, 1:10 p.m.: This post has been updated to include Sony’s statement and additional information.