The Alamo Drafthouse in Dallas, Texas, was one of the theaters set to play the flick, but had canceled the screening as of Thursday afternoon because Paramount ordered theaters across the country not to screen Team America: World Police in place of SONY’s “The Interview”.
Secondly, as the owner/operator of a movie distribution center for Southern California (physical prints), it used to be that once a theater booked (rented) a print of a given movie, they had an implied contractual right to book it again...providing they pay again and don't do anything against the studio's rights. Maybe things have changed since the 90's.
That said, what kind of cowards are now running Paramount and Sony Studios? I used to know executives at MGM, Universal, Disney/Touchstone/Buena Vista, Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Columbia, Tri-Star, New Line, Miramax, now defunct United Artists, etc. They were all hard asses who would never let this Nork threat stop them.
I find it amazing that these 2 studios have become so gutless. The studio heads of my time were fearless. Sony, I can somewhat understand because of the hack, but Paramount not allowing Team America to be screened I don't get.
Hollywood movie types preach free speech. Guess that only works if you're not threatened. That's why they rarely make Muslims the villain. Think about Clancy's, "Clear and Present Danger" novel, that the studio changed the Islamist nuke threat to a nazi type right wing domestic threat. Pfft.
Hollywood sucks and most everyone that lives in that area are gutless self-centered useless sh*ts. Hollywood/Westwood is the Frisco of Los Angeles. Good luck finding one person in that area that has ever served in the military, or has any idea about the values this nation was built upon. As long as they can get their latest gadget or shoes or watch the latest inane reality show or hang at the new trendy club hoping to mingle with feckless celebrities, they're good. End rant.