'The Interview' at a Theater Near You: Contentious Film Showing in NJ on Christmas

The much-anticipated comedy film about a fictitious television personality interviewing the leader of North Korea and trying to kill him will be released at six New Jersey theaters on Christmas Day, despite a backlash that roiled a country and has led to international tension.

“The Interview,” starring Seth Rogen and James Franco through Sony Pictures, was originally scheduled for release on Dec. 25, but was then pulled back after a hacking scandal infiltrated the production company’s computer system.

The situation escalated from there, as the hackers – believe to hail from North Korea – began sending threats of terrorism that any theater showing the film would be targeted with potential violence.

As the original release date nears, many theaters across the country have decided to go forward with showing the film anyway, including seven in New Jersey.

According to the Huffington Post, they are:

Allwood Cinemas 6, Clifton
Hudson Cinema 7, Jersey City
City Plex 12 Newark, Newark
Columbia Park 12, North Bergen
Middlebrook Cinema 10, Ocean Township
Fabian 8 Cinema, Paterson
Rutgers Cinema, Piscataway (Jan. 1)

Furthering the theater release, Sony and YouTube have reached an agreement to stream the movie online Thursday, according to the Associated Press. It is not yet known if the streaming will be free or paid.

The movie’s Facebook page stated in its most recent post, “Freedom of speech has prevailed!”

Photo Credit: Screenshot of The Interview Facebook page.

Do you think Sony should release the movie? Do you think theaters should show the film? Will you go see “The Interview”?