Sony Reportedly Rejected Theaters’ Idea of Limited Release for The Interview

Sony CEO Michael Lynton went on the offensive on CNN today, saying that President Obama and the press are getting it wrong in reporting on the cyberattacks against Sony and them pulling The Interview‘s theatrical release. Lynton repeatedly emphasized that they’ve always wanted the public to see the movie, but it was the movie theaters refusing to show it that forced their hand.

But there’s a new report tonight from Variety suggesting there was a third way to go that Sony shut down entirely. Two people close to the talks between theater chains and Sony Pictures say that those chains, including Cineplex Entertainment, suggested a limited release to test the seriousness of the supposed 9/11-style attacks against theaters.

Lots of movies tend to get put out in limited release before going wide. Even Sony’s done it with big blockbusters before. But this time, according to the Variety report, Sony rejected the idea.

And while it’s not absolutely clear why, one Sony insider told variety that the movie “was always intended as a broad comedy and would not have worked as a limited release.” So there.

[image via Columbia Pictures]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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