After what might charitably be called a rough start, “The Interview” is expanding.
The James Franco–Seth Rogen comedy, which was first pulled from release then released on Christmas Day following a cyberattack that plagued Sony, is now receiving an expanded distribution from Sony Pictures, the company said Wednesday.
The film will be available via video-on-demand through iN DEMAND affiliates such as Bright House Networks, Comcast, Cox Communications, and Time Warner Cable; VUBIQUITY affiliates including Charter Communications, Cablevision, and AT&T U-verse TV; Verizon FiOS; DirectTV; as well as VUDU, Walmart’s digital VOD service.
“We have always sought the widest possible distribution for ‘The Interview,’ and want to thank our new partners for helping us make that happen,” Sony Entertainment chairman and CEO Michael Lynton said of the expanded distribution.
The expanded distribution will begin “starting as early as Wednesday,” Sony announced, with the film rolling out in different markets throughout the weekend for $5.99. VUDU and Verizon customers will also have the option to buy a digital version of the film.
Currently, the film is available online through Google Play; YouTube Movies; Microsoft’s Xbox Video; iTunes; and via www.seetheinterview.com.
In addition to the expanded VOD distribution, “The Interview,” which saw a limited theatrical release on Dec. 25, will increase its theatrical release to more than 580 independent theaters on Jan. 2.