Columbia PicturesIt just got a whole lot harder to see The Interview.
The top five movie chains in America have decided to pull the plug on showing the Seth Rogen and James Franco-starring movie as anonymous threats have caused major concern among the theaters. E! News has confirmed that Regal Entertainment will be delaying the release.
"Due to the wavering support of the film The Interview by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats, Regal Entertainment Group has decided to delay the opening of the film in our theatres," read the statement obtained by E! News.
Cineplex Entertainment will also withhold the satire from its screens, E! News has confirmed.
"After careful consideration of this unprecedented and complex situation, Cineplex Entertainment ("Cineplex") will postpone presentation of the Sony Pictures movie, The Interview," Pat Marshall, Vice President, Communications and Investor Relations, Cineplex Entertainment, said in a statement.
"Cineplex takes seriously its commitment to the freedom of artistic expression, but we want to reassure our guests and staff that their safety and security is our number one priority. We look forward to a time when this situation is resolved and those responsible are apprehended."
AMC Entertainment, Cinemark and Carmike Cinemas also will not be showing the now-controversial comedy, according to reports. Sources also confirmed to CNBC that ArcLight Cinemas will pull the film after hackers continued to threaten movie theaters and moviegoers who attend screenings of the satire.
Bow Tie Cinemas also told E! News in a statement that it is "saddened and angered by recent threats of terrorism in connection with the movie, The Interview."
"It is our mission to ensure the safety and comfort of our guests and employees. Given that the source and credibility of these threats is unknown at the time of this announcement, we have decided after careful consideration not to open The Interview on Dec. 25, 2014 as originally planned," the company continued. "We hope that those responsible for this act are swiftly identified and brought to justice."
The movie's stars have since canceled all media appearances for the Sony Pictures Entertainment film. E! News also confirmed that Thursday's New York City premiere wouldn't take place. Last week's Los Angeles premiere went through without a hitch, but the studio mandated the stars not participate in interviews.
The latest anonymous threat took the situation to another level when the hackers appeared to insinuate violence.
"Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time," the hacker group wrote Tuesday. "If your house is nearby, you'd better leave. Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment."
Sony Pictures has not commented on the threat.
(E! and CNBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)