The Interview trailer hits YouTube despite Sony cancelling the release
The short clip from James Franco and Seth Rogen's comedy appeared last night
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Just one day after Sony announced that The Interview release has been cancelled, a new trailer emerged on the studio’s official YouTube page.
Could it be that Hollywood has not caved to the terror threats of North Korean hackers after all? Probably not, as the video was soon pulled, despite featuring a message reading “In Franco and Rogen we trust”.
The 32-second trailer sees Seth Rogen subjected to a hilarious strip-search and declaring "Balls to the wall!" before firing a missile.
"How many times must the US make the same mistake?" asks a Korean girl, with James Franco responding: "As many times as it takes."
Franco and Rogen’s controversial comedy sees them star as two journalists sent to assassinate North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un.
But the country soon took offence at the plot, branding it an “act of war” and vowing to retaliate. Sony’s computer system was hacked, executive emails leaked and attacks were promised on any cinemas that screened the movie.
“In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned 25 December theatrical release,” a Sony statement read.
“We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.”
It remains unclear whether Sony have changed their mind and plan to release The Interview in some capacity, or whether the trailer was published by mistake.
The studio confirmed yesterday that the film would not be released on DVD or any other home entertainment platform.
Hollywood actors have expressed their disappointment at Sony’s decision, with actor Zach Braff describing it as a “pretty horrible precedent to set” and chat show host Jimmy Kimmel branding the move “un-American”.
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