'The Interview' Completely Canceled by Sony

After enduring an unprecedented hacking, canceling all ongoing press and offering theaters the chance to opt out, Sony has finally pulled the plug on "The Interview."

The hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment has been a major story over the past few weeks as documents and emails from across the company continue to leak online and reveal the goings-on behind the scenes at the company.

The hacker group, which is thought to be called "Guardians of Peace," sent out a threatening message earlier this week invoking 9/11 and making vague but unsettling threats towards theaters that choose to screen "The Interview" when it releases on Christmas.

In reaction, Sony quickly informed theater owners that they had permission to break contract and opt out of screening the movie. Over the course of 24 hours, almost all major theater chains such as AMC, Cinemark and others announced that they would not be showing the film.

Now, Deadline is reporting that Sony has officially pulled the plug on the entire theatrical release, choosing not to distribute the film in theaters at all. The company released a statement today:

"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 theater-goers.

Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like. We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome."

As of yet, Sony hasn't announced any alternate distribution plans for the film. However, one would have to assume that the company is considering a VOD home release, allowing people to rent the movie through their cable companies or apps like iTunes. As the first movie to be canceled due to terrorist threats, "The Interview" might pull a surprising number of views if released digitally.