Turns Out Steve Carell Was Planning a (Now-Canceled) North Korea Movie Too
by Andy Neuenschwander
Don't expect any movies about North Korea anytime in the near future.
According to reports, New Regency has scrapped a comedy starring Steve Carell that was set in North Korea, citing the Sony hack and resulting fallout caused by the Seth Rogen and James Franco movie "The Interview."
Titled, "Pyongyang," the movie was set to star Carell as a journalist who is mistaken for a spy while visiting North Korea. Gore Verbinski was set to direct, and writer Steve Conrad was working on the script.
The Sony hack has proved disastrous for the company, as Sony Pictures Entertainment announced today that it is pulling the plug on any plans for theatrical release of "The Interview" after terrorist threats from the hacker group responsible for the attack insinuated that they would commit some form of physical violence at theaters that chose to screen the film.
This isn't the first time a film making fun of North Korea has hit theaters: "Team America: World Police" famously mocked then-dictator Kim Jong-Il in puppet form, which caused the country to do some saber-rattling. However, no actual actions were carried out.
As of yet, North Korea isn't confirmed to be behind the Sony hacks. On the one hand, they seem the likely culprit and sources close to the investigation claim that they're the primary suspect. On the other hand, the attack was very sophisticated, and North Korea isn't known for their technological prowess. Additionally, the country didn't take responsibility for the attack, where they usually are quick to brag about their accomplishments.
Carell completed filming on a comedy titled "Freeheld," meanwhile, and is rumored to be starring in a planned Looney Tunes movie titled "Acme." The actor is also getting significant Oscar buzz for his performance in "Foxcatcher."