Sony moves past hacking at CinemaCon
LAS VEGAS — Sony Studios representatives came face to face with theater owners Wednesday night, following last December's botched release of The Interview.
There was a little explaining to do.
But
Rothman did not apologize for the studio's decision to pull the wide release of The Interview following unprecedented Internet harassment and threats from North Korea, whose leadership was lampooned in the film.
The comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco eventually received an independent theater and video-on-demand release.
Rothman, who replaced Amy Pascal in the job in February, said he hoped the studio and exhibitors could move past the seemingly extraordinary circumstances.
"I want to give special thanks to our partners in exhibition," Rothman told the theater owners. "Thank you for sticking with us and understanding some unique and difficult circumstances. We're grateful."
"It's a new day for the studio and there are mighty things ahead," he added.
Rothman said the studio has survived the Sony hacking onslaught that dominated headlines.
"Together we have been through as challenging a time as a modern company could face. But we have survived," said Rothman. "We have more than survived. We have thrived."
The comment brought a smattering of applause from the theater owners in the audience.
"Sony Pictures is unbroken, unbowed and pushing on to new heights," Rothman added.
The Sony Pictures slate includes a new James Bond film (Spectre), Pixels, Hotel Transylvania 2 and Goosebumps, to name a few. Rothman also announced a new animated Spider-Man film.
Upcoming films also included a Jonathan Levine and Seth Rogen Christmas movie called X-Mas. The trailer, played for theater owners, joked that it was a comedy "from the guys who almost brought you The Interview."