Obama Applauds Sony's Decision To Release 'The Interview'

Last Friday, President Obama criticized Sony in a press conference for pulling "The Interview" from theaters after threats from hackers.

Obama said Sony "made a mistake," explaining, "I wish [Sony] had spoken to me first. I would have told them do not get into a pattern where you're intimidated by these kinds of criminal attacks."

Despite Sony CEO Michael Lynton disputing the president's comments, many industry insiders argued that Obama's strongly-worded remarks would ultimately force the studio to release the controversial film one way or another.

By Tuesday, Sony announced that "The Interview" would get its Christmas Day release after all, showing in more than 200 independent theaters across the country.

The White House was very happy with Sony's decision, and released the below statement:

The president applauds Sony’s decision to authorize screenings of the film. As the president made clear, we’re a country that believes in free speech and the right of artistic expression. The decision made by Sony and participating theaters allows people to make their own choices about the film and we welcome that outcome.

"The Interview" stars Seth Rogen and James Franco were also thrilled by the news:

Seth Rogen and James Franco star in "The Interview," about two journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The Pyongyang government denounced the film as "undisguised sponsoring of terrorism, as well as an act of war" in a letter to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon back in June.

Since then, a group of hackers calling themselves "Guardians of Peace" hit Sony Pictures Entertainment with an unprecedented and devastating series of cyber attacks, which led to the release of thousands of sensitive emails of Sony executives and threats that the hackers would release more if the film's release wasn't canceled.

SEE ALSO: Here Are All The Theaters Showing 'The Interview' Christmas Day

MORE: Obama May Have Forced Sony To Release 'The Interview'

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