Sony Pictures computer hack(s).....

This is crazy that they cancelled the release. What's to stop someone from trying this whenever they want to shut down a movie. What happens if this is next year and its TFA?

 

I don't know. In this case, the theater owners forced their hands. Once AMC followed regal, Top Hat, and Arclight, 90% of the theaters were not going to show the movie. AT that point, Sony had no choice. If the theater owners let that fear dictate what they show, then any movie is vulnerable.

 

No, you're right. That's a valid point. Star Wars might be the one movie that could be immune because crazy people like us will see it opening weekend no matter what, and that will allow the theaters to keep it running until the threat dies down.

I do worry though, that this might be the death knell for the theater industry. They are struggling already. If Sony releases this to big bucks via VOD, it may be the beginning of a movement towards fewer theater releases. I can see a scenario where comedies, dramas, and independent movies stay out of theaters to avoid the hassle and just go straight to VOD. Once that happens, its only a matter of time until theaters become a niche instead of the norm.

 

I'm not so much worried about Korea, but about all the other crazies who will follow suit now that it has worked.

Who's to say a White supremacist won't pull this with Selma next month or something like that. Once its known that a movie can be stopped simply by making a threat, it could be open season for anyone with a beef with the film, the studio, or the film makers.

 

I seriously doubt it. These hacks were motivated by politics - admittedly, it's understandable to be offended by the presence of a movie depicting the assassination of your still-incumbent leader and playing it for giggles, but the actual threats were excessive. So unless Andy Serkis is playing Darth Jong-Kim-Sung-Il-Un or something, I don't think these guys are going to waste their breath with Disney-Lucasfilm.

 

Granted, there aren't many out there as nutty as him. And I do hope this doesn't spread. But people will jump on any weakness they can find, and weakness is exactly what was shown today. Sony and the theaters sent a clear message. "If you make threats, we will cave". I'm generally not a cynical guy by nature, but I can't imagine there aren't other whack jobs out there that will try this with any movie that irks their distorted sensibilities. I hope I'm wrong though.

But even if there aren't additional threats, what impacts does this have on film development and the subject matter allowed. One release has been cancelled and another movie has ceased pre-production in just one day. Will studios be gun shy to make movies that offend dangerous groups, and at will that impact the industry to make those important movies that can affect social change or provide important commentary on current issues. Outside of movies like The Interview or Team America, will studios be afraid to make the next Zero Dark Thirty or Dallas Buyers Club for fear of foreign or domestic terrorists pulling something like N Korea did here.

Again, I know its way to early to go into these end of the world scenarios for the industry. But today set a very dangerous precedent that could have long lasting impacts . I hope it doesn't and I hope it fades, but it is worrying.

 

We're not a board for spreading hate.

 

I knew it. The Empire, N Korea, and the Sith in league to stop the release of TFA!