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Major Theater Chain Reportedly Decides Not to Show ‘The Interview’ Amid Terror Threats
Image source: Facebook

Major Theater Chain Reportedly Decides Not to Show ‘The Interview’ Amid Terror Threats

UPDATE — 11: 44 p.m. ET: Landmark Theaters said Tuesday night that they have made the decision to cancel the New York City premiere of "The Interview" which was set for Thursday, Deadline reported.

Carmike Cinemas, one of the top theater chains in the U.S., has elected not to show Sony's upcoming comedy "The Interview," a source told the Hollywood Reporter Tuesday.

If true, the decision would come on the heels of a terrorism threat made by individuals purporting to belong to the same group of hackers that recently executed a devastating cyber attack against Sony.

"We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places 'The Interview' be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to," the message warned. “Remember the 11th of September 2001.”

Image source: Facebook "The Interview," starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, is scheduled for release Christmas Day. (Image source: Facebook)

Carmike, which operates 2,917 screens in 278 theaters spread across 37 states, would be the first major chain to cancel showings for the upcoming Seth Rogan-James Franco comedy amid the new threat.

It was not clear if Regal Entertainment Group or AMC would follow suit. "The Interview" was set to be released nationwide on Christmas Day.

The Wall Street Journal also reported Tuesday evening that Sony Pictures would let theater operators decide whether or not they wanted to screen the film.

A representative for the FBI did not respond to a request for comment from TheBlaze. However, a Department of Homeland Security official told the Journal that “at this time there is no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters within the United States.”

North Korea is thought to be behind the cyberattack by U.S. officials. On Tuesday, President Barack Obama convened his national security team to discuss potential holiday threats to the U.S.

Follow Oliver Darcy (@oliverdarcy) on Twitter

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