George Clooney is the latest to slam the decision by Sony executives to bow to pressure from pro-North Korean hackers by pulling the comedy “The Interview” from theaters shortly before its premier, noting that the film received almost no support in Hollywood.
The film, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen, revolved around a secret assassination plot against current dictator Kim Jong-Un. Sony pulled the movie just days before its Christmas day premier, after some major theater chains say they wouldn’t show the movie due to threats of violence claimed by the hackers, according to a Reuters report.
In an interview with Deadline.com, Clooney said there was a complete lack of support for Sony executives among Hollywood players when he attempted to circulate a petition supporting the film’s release.
Clooney, who has created movies with Sony before, said the media was lax in failing to link the cyberattack to North Korea, which the United States government is now doing officially.
Clooney said it was worrying that another country is “deciding what content we’re going to have,” adding that “we cannot be told we can’t see something by Kim Jong-Un.”
The release of sensitive emails within Sony by the hackers has proved devastating to the company. Besides forcing the cancellation of the movie, it also revealed spats between top Sony producers and various celebrities, such as Angelina Jolie, who was called a “spoiled brat” in one email between producers.
Clooney said that people have a responsibility to stand up to the hackers and North Korea — not just Sony, but members of the press as well, who he said focused too much on the content of the leaked emails.
