Sony tells theaters they don’t have to show ‘The Interview’

Sony Pictures Entertainment has told theater owners that they can cancel their plans to show “The Interview,” according to multiple reports.

The decision to debut the film on Dec. 25 is now with individual theater chains.

This late Tuesday development comes just hours after the hackers who call themselves the Guardians of Peace issued threats against theatergoers and patrons of the comedy, which depicts an assassination attempt against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

In the data dump, the hackers urged audiences to stay away from venues showing the film, invoking the memory of September 11, 2001.

The Department of Homeland Security has said that there is no credible intelligence to indicate a threat.

The National Association of Theatre Owners had no comment, while Sony and individual theater chains did not respond to requests for comment.

Craig Smith with Bright Star Investigations specializes in online security. He said considers this data breach one of the greatest in modern times.

“The hackers in this situation have touched an untouchable entity. Sony is a massive corporation with a lot of data,” said Smith.

Smith has been keeping tabs on the Guardians of Peace. He said people should not be concerned about this recent threat if they plan to see the film.

“Go live your life, don’t be afraid of these guys because if you’re afraid of these guys, they win,” said Smith.

The FBI is investigating the hackers’ threat.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)