The effects of the Sony hack are far from over. On Wednesday, Dec. 17, the film company decided to abandon its controversial dark comedy The Interview, and another movie faced a similar fate soon after.
Deadline reported on Wednesday that New Regency Productions has cancelled plans for its own North Korea film.
The untitled project was set to star Steve Carell, who tweeted on Wednesday, "Sad day for creative expression. #feareatsthesoul."
Originally billed as a thriller to be called Gregory The Nuisance, the abandoned film was penned by screenwriter Steve Conrad (The Secret Life of Walter Mitty) and enlisted Gore Verbinski (The Lone Ranger) as director.
"Yesterday, I was told by New Regency and Fox that Fox will no longer be distributing the film," Verbinski said in a statement to Us Weekly. "Prior to that, the film was green-lit and fully funded by New Regency with Fox distributing. I have been told in no uncertain words that based on the situation at Sony, Fox has now decided to not distribute the film. Without a distributor, New Regency was forced to shut the film down. I find it ironic that fear is eliminating the possibility to tell stories that depict our ability to overcome fear."
Sony decided to axe The Interview after threats of terrorism were made and theater chains chose accordingly not to screen it. The choices by Sony and the chains were met with criticism from many as Hollywood heavyweights voiced their frustration over the apparent censorship.
"I think it is disgraceful that these theaters are not showing The Interview," wrote filmmaker Judd Apatow. "Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now?"
"Really hard to believe this is the response to a threat to freedom of expression here in America. #TheInterview," added Ben Stiller.
An investigation by U.S. officials found on Wednesday that North Korea was involved in the widespread hack of Sony Pictures Entertainment as a reaction to the plot of The Interview. The film, which starred Seth Rogen and James Franco, depicted the assassination of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. As of now, there are no plans for the film to ever see the light of day.
