Some Theaters Will Get To Screen 'The Interview' On Christmas Day After All

It looks like North Korea hasn't won after all as multiple theaters have announced that Sony Pictures Entertainment has authorized screenings of The Interview.

Tim League, the founder of the Alamo Drafthouse in Texas, who had been vocal about wanting to screen The Interview while many other theaters were afraid to do so due to terror threats, tweeted out this message this morning:

Last night, the historic Plaza Atlanta theater in Atlanta, Georgia, also announced onTwitter that they would also be one of the few theaters in the country to screen the movie. They also said that they would be screening the movie at least five times on two different screens on Christmas Day, and would soon announce showings on Dec. 26.

A source tells The Hollywood Reporter that at the same time The Interview is being screened at select theaters, Sony will also be releasing the movie on VOD.

The folks behind the satirical comedy about two bumbling guys (portrayed by Seth Rogen and James Franco) being recruited to assassinate North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un have had a roller coaster of emotions over the past month. Sony Pictures Entertainment announced last week that they were pulling the film from its theatrical release on Christmas day after receiving terror threats from Guardians of Peace, a group taking responsibility for the devastating cyberattack against Sony Pictures Entertainment that launched as early as late November. President Barack Obama gave Sony a piece of his mind during a year-end press conference about how he thought they were wrong for censoring themselves. Although Obama and the FBI have blamed North Korea for the cyberattack, the North Korean government has denied any involvement.

UPDATE 5:15 p.m.: In addition to the Crest in Westwood, Los Angeles will get screenings of The Interview at Cinefamily, Los Feliz 3, and Van Nuys Plant 16. Laemmle's North Hollywood 7 will begin screening the film on Dec. 31. The American Cinematheque, which owns the Egyptian Theatre and Aero Theatre tweeted that they'll also be screening the movie on Christmas Day, but did not specify which theater or if the film would be shown at both of them. For a list of all the theaters across the U.S. that are showing the movie, here's a nifty list from Mashable.

UPDATE 3:12 p.m.: The historic Crest theater in Westwood, CA will be showing multiple screenings of The Interview on Christmas Day. More information to come on their website.

The White House issued the following statement today, giving kudos to Sony for making the decision to release The Interview: “The president applauds Sony’s decision to authorize screenings of the film. As the president made clear, we’re a country that believes in free speech and the right of artistic expression. The decision made by Sony and participating theaters allows people to make their own choices about the film and we welcome that outcome."

UPDATE 10:18 a.m.: Sony Pictures chief executive Michael Lynton released this statement about giving The Interview a limited theatrical release: "We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we're excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day. At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience."

UPDATE 10:07 a.m.: Rogen tweeted out his excitement over this news this morning:

Related:
Congressman Offers To Screen The Interview At U.S. Capitol
North Korea Offers To Help Investigate The Sony Hack, Threatens The U.S. If We Don't Accept
Sony Swears They Haven't Caved: 'We Would Still Like The Public To See This Movie'
George Clooney Calls Out Hollywood's Cowardice: 'We Have Allowed North Korea To Dictate Content'