Okay, so, NOW Sony Pictures is saying they actually will show THE INTERVIEW in theaters on Christmas Day, just not as many as originally planned. Terrorist threats be damned, the studio, after receiving several requests from willing theaters, has decided to release it as planned on Christmas. It’s estimated around 300 theaters across the country will show the film, most through the new year. In the Dallas area we have two options, the Alamo Drafthouse in Richardson and The Texas Theatre in Oak Cliff, though we’re hearing (from the Alamo at least) that all of the Christmas Day showings are already sold out. The founder of Alamo Drafthouse, Tim League, had the following to say about the whole ordeal:
“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.”
Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton (who has to be super stressed out right now) also made a statement regarding the film being released Thursday:
“We have never given up on releasing `The Interview. While we hope this is only the first step of the film’s release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech.”
The decision to pull the movie came after the group who hacked Sony Pictures made terrorist-like threats should the film be released, threats the group (ironically called “The Guardians of Peace”) likened to 9-11 attacks. But it wasn’t just because of the threats, more that multiple major theater chains chose not to show the film on Christmas Day (likely for potential lawsuit reasons should an attack occur), forcing Sony to throw in the towel. That decision met with enormous criticism, even President Barack Obama said it was a mistake. Through all of this, the stars of the film Seth Rogen and James Franco have remained quiet, but broke their silence after the news today. You can see their Tweets below, followed by a full listing of participating theaters – just know a lot of the first day showings are already sold out…
The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 23, 2014
VICTORY!!!!!!!
The PEOPLE and THE PRESIDENT have spoken!!!
SONY to release THE INTERVIEW in theaters… http://t.co/0KyZQAB6cf
— James Franco (@JamesFrancoTV) December 23, 2014
WE DID IT! THANK YOU ALL! ENJOY THE MOVIE! @Sethrogen @evandgoldberg @JamesFrancoTV @thedianabang @dansterl @SonyPictures @BarackObama
— Randall Park (@parkrandall) December 23, 2014
Thanks to everyone who didn't give up on our movie! @Sethrogen & I are humbled & overwhelmed by your support. Hope you enjoy the film!
— Evan Goldberg (@evandgoldberg) December 23, 2014
Here’s a list of theaters across the United States where you can see THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day, courtesy of Mashable, with a few adds of our own:
Alabama
The Edge 12, Birmingham
Arizona
Harkins Theatres, Phoenix
Loft Cinema, Tuscon
The Valley Art, Tempe
Arkansas
Riverdale 10, Little Rock
California
Agoura Hills Stadium 8, Agoura Hills
Cinefamily, Los Angeles
CinĂ©mas Palme D’Or, Coachella Valley
Commerce 14, City of Commerce
Crest Westwood, Los Angeles
Digital Gym, San Diego
East Hills Mall, Bakersfield
Foothill Cinema Stadium 10, Azusa
Fontana 8, Fontana
Granada Hills 9, Granada Hills
Janss Marketplace 9, Thousand Oaks
Jurupa 14, Jurupa
Los Feliz 3, Los Angeles
Mission Grove Theaters, Riverside
Laemmle’s North Hollywood 7, Los Angeles (starting Dec. 31)
Perris 10, Perris
Rialto Cinemas, Berkeley
Santa Paula 7, Santa Paula
Sterling 6, San Bernardino
Van Nuys Plant 16, Van Nuys
UltraLuxe Anaheim Cinemas in Gardenwalk, Anaheim
University Village 10, Riverside
Westminster 10, Westminster
Colorado
Alamo, Littleton
Lyric Cinema Cafe, Ft. Collins
Delaware
Penn Cinemas Riverfront, Wilmington
Rehoboth Beach’s Movies at Midway, Lewes
Westown Movies, Middletown
Florida
Sun-Ray Cinema, Jacksonville
Swap-Shop Drive-In, Ft. Lauderdale
Georgia
Plaza Theater, Atlanta
Illinois
Hollywood Blvd. Cinemas, Woodridge
Art Theater Co-Op, Champaign (beginning 1/2)
Indiana
Jasper 8 Theatres, Jasper
Kentucky
Maiden Alley Cinema, Paducah
Louisiana
Chalmette Movies, Chalmette
The Robinson Film Center, Shreveport
Maryland
Eastpoint Center 10, Baltimore
Massachusetts
AppleCinemas, Cambridge
Michigan
The Bijou, Traverse City
Alamo, Kalamazoo
State Theatre, Ann Arbor
Minnesota
St. Anthony Main Theatre, Minneapolis
The Film Society of Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minneapolis
Missouri
Alamo Main Street, Kansas City
Chase Park Plaza, St. Louis
MX Movies, St. Louis
New Mexico
John Cocteau Cinema, Santa Fe
New York
Alamo, Yonkers
Cinema Village, Manhattan
Cinemopalis, Ithica
Cinema Arts Centre, Huntington
Island Cinemas, Mastic
Kew Gardens Theatre, Queens
North Carolina
Palace Pointe, Roxboro
North Dakora
Fargo Theatre, Fargo
Ohio
Gateway Film Center, Columbus
Tower City Cinemas, Cleveland
Oklahoma
Circle Cinema, Tulsa
Oregon
Fox Theatre, Dallas
Pennsylvania
Southside Works Cinema, Pittsburgh
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Terrace Theatre, Charleston
The Nickelodeon, Columbia (starting 12/26)
Tennessee
Belcourt Theatre, Nashville
Franklin Theatre, Franklin
Texas
Alamo Lakeline, Austin
Alamo Slaughter, Austin
Alamo South Lamar, Austin
Alamo Ritz, Austin
Alamo Vintage Park, Houston
Alamo Mason Park, Katy
Alamo, Lubbock
Alamo Marketplace, New Braunfels
Alamo Drafthouse DFW, Richardson
Alamo Park North, San Antonio
Alamo Westlakes, San Antonio
City Base Cinema, San Antonio
Look Cinemas, Dallas
The Texas Theatre, Dallas
Utah
Brewvies Cinemas Pub, Salt Lake City
Megaplex Theatres, South Jordan
Vermont
Merril’s Roxy, Burlington
Virginia
Alamo Loudoun, Ashburn
Cinemall, Abingdon
Wisconsin
Fond du Lac Theatre, Fond du Lac
Grand Cinema Theaters, New London