FARMINGTON — The regional movie theater company that operates two Farmington theaters said it would not show the film "The Interview" Wednesday before the distribution company pulled the film from release following potential terrorism threats.
Allen Theaters, based out of Las Cruces, said it would not be screening the Sony Pictures film in its 16 theaters in 11 cities across New Mexico and Colorado.
Following Allen Theaters' decision to not show the film, Sony released a statement stating it would not move forward with the planned Dec. 25 release of "The Interview" after a majority of its exhibitors decided to not show the film.
Russell Allen, vice president of operations, said the company is following the lead of the top movie chains to not open the film on any of its 112 screens.
"We will not open it with the belief that Sony will move it to another time," Allen said.
Allen said he didn't believe any of the markets in which Allen Theaters operates have the potential for a significant terrorism issue regarding the release of the film.
The chain operates the Animas 10 movie theater in Animas Valley Mall and Allen 8 theater in Farmington, along with the Durango Stadium 9 and Gaslight Twin Cinema movie theaters in Durango, Colo.
According to The Associated Press, the top theater chains in North America declined to show the film after a hacker group calling itself the Guardians of Peace referenced the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a threat to theaters that would screen the film.
The AMC Entertainment, Carmike Cinemas, Cinemark and Regal Cinemas theater chains decided to pull the comedy film based on those threats.
The Associated Press reported the seriousness of the threats is unclear, but the Department of Homeland Security issued a statement on Tuesday indicating there was no credible intelligence regarding an active plot against movie theaters.
The film stars James Franco and Seth Rogan as a TV host and producer who travel to North Korea to interview its leader, Kim Jung-un. The two are asked by the CIA to assassinate the North Korean leader.
"As always, we are concerned with the safety of our patrons," Allen said. "It's always our goal to do the right thing."
Joshua Kellogg covers education forThe Daily Times. He can be reached at 505-564-4527 and jkellogg@daily-times.com. Follow him @jkelloggdt on Twitter.