The nation’s largest movie theater chains were conspicuously silent Tuesday as Sony Pictures unveiled its plan to roll out “The Interview” in smaller independent theaters on Christmas Day and make it available on video on demand as well.
Day-and-date VOD releases are a hot-button issue for the major exhibitors, who have fiercely fought studio and film company pressure on early VOD, since it can cut into the theatrical audience significantly. As a result of that — and Sony CEO Michael Lynton‘s earlier comments that suggest that the chains forced the Christmas cancellation — the major exhibitors are likely to stay out, at least for now.