Rug Is Pulled (Literally) At Star-Studded Premiere Movie Event As Scandal Rocks Sony
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — It might be the most unusual film premiere ever.
No red carpet.
No celebrity interviews.
No stars, friends of the stars or anyone else for that matter chatting it up, rubbing elbows or hobnobbing.
And the rain had nothing to do with it.
Sony Studios, makers of the new Seth Rogen and James Franco movie "The Interview," canceled all press in the wake of the massive cyber attack that hit the studio two weeks ago.
Some believed North Korea was behind the breach, something the country has denied. The comedy is about two journalists asked to meet with, interview and kill North Korea's Kim Jong-un.
The breach of security continues to reverberate in and around the studio. On Thursday, two top-ranking Sony executives apologized for leaked emails. The emails, hacked from a variety of accounts, criticized stars like Kevin Hart ("I'm not saying he's a [money] whore, but he's a whore") , Adam Sandler ("we continue to be saddled with the mundane, formulaic Adam Sandler films") and Angelina Jolie ("a minimally talented spoiled brat"), in harsh, unflattering ways.
Sony co-chairman Amy Pascal and producer Scott Rudin, the two executives who issued public apologies, also joked about President Barack Obama's race in a series of emails suggesting what films he would love to see, all of them black-themed.
Pascal told deadline.com that she is inspired by the president and embarrassed by her comments.
She added: "I'm not a victim here. I'm going to be fine. It's really hard on our employees. Their Social Security numbers are on display, there are potential identity theft issues. None of them deserved this. No one deserves this."
KCAL9's Peter Daut covered the premiere at the Ace hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
The studio never gave an official reason for media restrictions Thursday night, but Daut reported, "many speculate it was the studio's attempt to not further inflame its publicity crisis."
The LAPD also tried to keep the media at bay.
Daut said the normally gregarious and press-friendly Rogen and Franco slipped past reporters.
Actor Charles Chun stopped and spoke briefly about North Korea.
"I think they're acting like spoiled children, and I think at the end of the day, it's going to be egg on their face," said Chun.
Daut said Chun was quickly pulled away by a Sony employee who told him not to talk to the media.
"The Interview" is scheduled for a Christmas Day release.
While the hacking and email scandal will do nothing positive for the film studio's reputation, some Hollywood observers think the controversy will translate to ticket sales for the movie.
