Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced a limited theatrical release of "The Interview" beginning Thursday, putting the comedy back into theaters.
Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said Tuesday that Seth Rogen's North Korea farce "will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day." He said Sony also is continuing its efforts to release the film on more platforms and in more theaters.
The film will play beginning on Christmas in Little Rock at Riverdale 10, as well as in owner Matt Smith's other Arkansas theaters: Searcy Cinema 8, Hot Springs Mall Cinema and Silver Screen Cinema 8 in Cabot.
Moviegoers celebrated the abrupt change of fortune for a film that appeared doomed, as the film began popping up in the listings of a handful of independent theaters Tuesday.
After hackers last Wednesday threatened violence against theaters showing the film, the nation's largest theater chains dropped the film. Sony soon thereafter canceled the film's release altogether.
But that decision drew widespread criticism, including from President Barack Obama.
Smith said he ended up with the film because he told Sony after the initial cancellation that he still wanted to screen it even though the big chains were backing down.
"I told them I still wanted to play it," he said Tuesday. "I said I'm not afraid of this rumor going around, I want to run the movie, so if you guys want to release it later, I'll get it played for you. Today they decided they would let the people who wanted to play it it play it."
Smith said he's not concerned any violence would be directed at the Arkansas theaters. And he said he believes it's important the film is shown.
"I'm all about freedom of speech and freedom of expression," he said. "I play movies at Riverdale 10 all the time that don't play anywhere else in Arkansas. It's kind of what I do."
Smith, who said he wasn't sure what kind of a crowd to expect, said the movie showtimes would be determined and posted shortly on the theater website.