Sony Pictures has granted permission to two independent U.S. theater chains to screen The Interview on its original release date of Christmas Day.
The Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas/Fort Worth and the Plaza Atlanta both made the announcements Tuesday via social media.
Meanwhile, THR says "Sony is telling theaters that it will also offer the movie simultaneously on VOD, a knowledgeable source tells The Hollywood Reporter. It is not clear what platform the studio will use to offer the movie as video on demand. That move is likely to further alienate the larger chains that insist that when movies are released theatrically there shouldn't be simultaneous VOD releases."
No definitive word yet if that VOD outlet will be the previously reported Sony-owned streaming service Crackle.
Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory
— Tim League (@timalamo) December 23, 2014
The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 23, 2014
The Interview was infamously pulled from its original Christmas release date after the hacker group that attacked distributor Sony Pictures made threats of 9/11-like physical terrorism against theaters showing the film.
After the major domestic exhibitors felt compelled to drop the film, Sony pulled the plug on the Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy, which sees a pair of TV personalities on a mission to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jon-un.
Public and industry backlash against Sony's decision grew more fervent in the days following it, with even President Barack Obama weighing in on it.
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