Terror threats over the Sony Pictures movie The Interview have some theater chains dropping the film, and Hollywood is in a panic. INSIDE EDITION explains.
The threat to attack movie theaters showing The Interview is throwing Hollywood into turmoil.
Rival studios are reportedly pressuring Sony to bow to the threats and cancel the release of the movie on Christmas Day.
Stars Seth Rogen and James Franco have abruptly cancelled appearances promoting the movie on The Tonight Show, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and Kelly and Michael.
Franco was seen in New York City on Tuesday night accompanied by a bodyguard.
The New York premiere of The Interview was scheduled to take place Thursday at The Sunshine Theater in Lower Manhattan but that won't be happening now. The premiere has now been cancelled.
The chaos erupted after the Sony hackers, calling themselves Guardians of Peace, warned theaters showing The Interview would be targeted, saying, "The world will be full of fear. Remember 11th of September 2001."
The movie theater chains Regal Entertainment, Amc Theaters, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas Cineplex Entertainment ad Bow Tie Cinemas, announced they will not show the movie. Other chains are considering what to do.
John Miller of the NYPD said, "We've been in touch with the FBI and we've spoken to Sony and their security people about it."
New York City cops say they are preparing to step up security at movie theaters.
But should Americans surrender to fear? The FBI said in a statement there is "no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters."
Security expert Harry Houck is skeptical about the seriousness of the threat.
He told INSIDE EDITION, “Allegedly these threats are coming from North Korea and that guy is a complete lunatic. If I was a betting man I would say nothing is going to happen these are threats to stop the movie from being distributed but you still have to be vigilant because you don't know for sure.”
Los Angeles Police Chief Charles Beck says people should still go see the movie despite the threat, saying, “We can't let that affect us. We do that and the terrorists achieve what they're doing.”
And INSIDE EDITION viewers are ready to defy the terrorists.
One person said, "I am still going to see the movie. Bring it on Kim Jong-un!"
See What Else Viewers Told INSIDE EDITION
An online poll shows that 57% of INSIDE EDITION viewers say they would see the movie despite the threats.
There were bold words from New York Congressman Peter King on CNN, “I wouldn't be afraid to go to the movie because of the threat. Probably I'd go now, just as an act of defiance."