Seth Rogen, James Franco cancel publicity tour after hacker threats

Sony Pictures Entertainment is reportedly canceling promotional events for actors Seth Rogen and James Franco after alleged hackers targeting the company threatened violence against theaters showing their new film.

Multiple outlets reported on Tuesday that the movie studio has pulled back the comedy duo’s planned appearances ahead of the Christmas Day opening of their movie “The Interview.”

{mosads}BuzzFeed News reported that the comedy pair canceled all of their public appearances ahead of the film’s opening. Variety confirmed the report, but added that the two are still planning to appear at a special screening of the film in New York on Thursday. 

Sony did not immediately respond to a query from The Hill.

The ongoing repercussions of the hack have been a disaster for the studio and could cost Sony well more than $100 million when all is said and done.

North Korea has been blamed for inciting the hack in retribution for the film’s portrayal of a fictional assassination of leader Kim Jong-un. Though the hermit Asian nation has denied that it is behind the cyber attack, it has nonetheless praised it as a “righteous deed.”

Leaks so far have contained detailed information about employees’ personal and medical data, as well as actors’ salaries and embarrassing email communications between executives.

The hackers, who go by “Guardians of Peace,” have promised additional revelations ahead of the movie’s Christmas opening.