18 December 2014
Newsdesk
Rob Lowe has blasted Sony after they pulled The Interview.
The 50-year-old actor was quick to express his shock in a pointed Twitter post on Wednesday, following Sony’s statement explaining the controversial film will no longer be released.
Sony said they were “deeply saddened” terrorist threats caused the major US cinema chains to decline to screen the film, which stars Seth Rogen and James Franco and tells the story of a fictional plot to kill North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
However, Wayne’s World star Rob was unimpressed by the decision, accusing Sony of giving in to the demands of cyber terrorists, who hacked the company and released private emails and documents.
In a tweet, Rob compared Sony to former British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who became known for his cowardice after conceding Czechoslovakia to the Nazis in 1938.
“Saw @Sethrogen at JFK,” Rob tweeted. “Both of us have never seen or heard of anything like this. Hollywood has done Neville Chamberlain proud today.”
While Rob mentioned Seth in his tweet, the actor has yet to comment himself on Sony’s decision.
Producer Judd Apatow also touched on the topic, tweeting: “This only guarantees that this movie will be seen by more people on Earth than it would have before. Legally or illegally all will see it.”
And chat show host Jimmy Kimmel replied: “I agree wholeheartedly. An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent.”
Sony explained their decision in a statement, which read: “We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie.
"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.
"We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theatre-goers.
“We stand by our film makers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome."
Sony also revealed in a further statement that they have no intention of releasing the film in any other form, such as DVD, saying: "Sony Pictures has no further release plans for the film."
