A day after Sony said it would not be releasing “The Interview” movie in theaters, on DVDs or online, reaction from Hollywood, politicians and TV commentators in the U.S. has been harsh.
The mood was perhaps summed up best by Rob Lowe:
Wow. Everyone caved. The hackers won. An utter and complete victory for them. Wow.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 17, 2014
Seth Rogen has been quiet, probably at the request of Sony Pictures, but Rob Lowe said he had bumped into him at the airport.
Saw @Sethrogen at JFK. Both of us have never seen or heard of anything like this. Hollywood has done Neville Chamberlain proud today.
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) December 17, 2014
Movie and documentary director Michael Moore had this to say:
Dear Sony Hackers: now that u run Hollywood, I'd also like less romantic comedies, fewer Michael Bay movies and no more Transformers.
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 17, 2014
And actor Steve Carell, whose upcoming movie set in North Korea was also canceled, said it was a “sad day for creative expression.”
In politics, Newt Gingrich said “America has lost its first cyberwar”
No one should kid themselves. With the Sony collapse America has lost its first cyberwar. This is a very very dangerous precedent.
— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 17, 2014
And in the press, a couple of U.S. tabloids had memorable front pages on Thursday:
Redeye, Chicago, IL
New York Post, New York, NY
Those at Kim Il Sung university have dealt foolishly in thinking that they can make all cower in fear. God forbid, how shall we that are dead to fear or any other sin live any longer therein? Be not afraid of those that can take away body, but He who can burn both body and soul in hell.
And the nations themselves are nothing more than groups of men. In fact, they exalt their countries, companies or organzations (i.e. man’s creations) over human beings (i.e. God’s creation) . Thus do they follow in the footsteps of Lucifer who thought to exalt himself above God.
All those who seek to inspire fear deal foolishly. And I state to them, deal not foolishly, pursuant to Psalm 75. The Lord laughs at those who think to rebel against him. And so shall I laugh at those at Kim Il Sung university that have stolen. Being wronged is no justification for wronging someone else. Let the thief steal no more. Scripture cannot be broken. Either men pay with their own blood, or the blood of the Lamb that was shed for all. I pray for all men that they be saved and for all leaders that they are faithful to those under their charge, and even those that aren’t. Perhaps even Kim Jong Un can give his heart to Jesus before it is too late. Hell is a real place.
Psalm 2
2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.
4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.