Despite several attempts made by hackers to terminate the release of Sony Pictures The Interview, starring funnymen Seth Rogen and James Franco, the controversial political comedy was released in select theaters on Christmas Day.
In just one day, the film which mocks North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and depicts his assassination, made more than $1 million.
Sony Pictures, commented on their unexpected success in a brief statement saying…
“Considering the incredibly challenging circumstances, we are extremely grateful to the people all over the country who came out to experience The Interview on the first day of its unconventional release,” Rory Bruer, president of Worldwide Distribution for Sony Pictures, said in a statement obtained by E! News. “The audience reaction was fantastic — the limited release, in under 10 percent of the amount of theaters originally planned, featured numerous sellouts and a first-day gross over $1 million.”
According to Rentrak Analytics, a movie and TV research company, the total figure was actually $1,040,000, with an average total for each of the 331 theaters that screened the movie coming in at $3,142. Not too shabby!
It’s safe to say the hackers did a little free p.r. for the film.
Do you think The Interview would have been equally successful without the scandal behind it?
