*UPDATE* Sorry Kim Jong-un: Sony to Release 'The Interview' on Christmas Day After All

*UPDATE* Sony has released an official statement confirming The Interview will open on Christmas Day in select theaters. While some exhibitors have stated it would also get a VOD release, that's not mentioned in the statement. So at this point we can probably expect the film to play in about 100 theaters, a big drop off from what it normally would have been. However, that could be made up for if people buy it On Demand.

Sony Pictures Entertainment today announced that The Interview will have a limited theatrical release in the United States on Christmas Day.

“We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we’re excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day,” said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. “At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience.”

“I want to thank our talent on The Interview and our employees, who have worked tirelessly through the many challenges we have all faced over the last month. While we hope this is only the first step of the film’s release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech.”

Original story is below:

Adding fuel to the fire this whole thing with Sony and The Interview was just one big marketing stunt, Sony is expected to announce today that the film will be released on Christmas Day as originally planned. According to The Wrap and confirmed by a few theater chains already, Sony has authorized release of the controversial Seth Rogen and James Franco comedy that was cancelled after threats by hacker group.

The film is to be released in select theaters and also through VOD, perhaps allowing those who have taken the violent threats seriously to watch it in the safety of their own homes. A number of celebrities, along with some theater owners, were pushing Sony to release the film, and it Tim League of Alamo Drafthouse tweeted theaters will definitely be showing it...

"Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory"

More details should come soon, like the On Demand service Sony plans to use to distribute the film.