Although plans to launch "The Interview" in theatres were compromised due to the Sony hacking scandal, people may still get the opportunity to see it for free online.
IGN reported that David Boies, Sony's attorney, said, "Sony has been fighting to get this picture distributed. It will be distributed. How it's going to be distributed, I don't think anybody knows quite yet. But it's going to be distributed." Boies also complimented the FBI for identifying North Korea as being responsible for the cyberterrorism acts.
Michael Lynton, chairman of Sony Pictures said earlier in December that "The Interview" had issues finding a VOD or streaming partner. He told CNN, "There has not been one major VOD - video on demand distributor - one major e-commerce site that has stepped forward and said they are willing to distribute this movie for us..."
Fortune reported that although the film will not be airing in theatres due to threats of terrorist attacks, the studio can still recover its investment by releasing the film online through channels like iTunes, YouTube and BitTorrent.
Sony owns Crackle, a streaming service site, which can benefit by featuring "The Interview." However, Sony executives also have to consider the further risks involved in releasing the film even online. On the other hand, should Sony choose to keep it under wraps, the company may lose up to $100 million in production and promotional expenses.
Lynton previously ignored Crackle as a potential distributor of the film. He said in the same Fortune report, "We don't have that direct interface with the American public, so we need to go through an intermediary to do that."
David Burch, spokesman of TubeMogul, however, thought that Lynton's statements were baffling and suggested how Crackle could be a viable option. Sony may even boost Crackle to be a future contender for giants like Netflix and Hulu.
Brian Stelter of CNN, talking to a Sony insider, said in a report by Business Insider, "I think it's very, very likely [Sony will release the movie], I would be shocked if we don't see this movie someway, somehow. The question now is how? One source at Sony said to me today, 'We are pursuing all options.'
"So let's imagine what those could be. Could be Netflix, could be Youtube, it could be independent movie theaters or it could be the big movie theater chains that originally decided not to show the film about 4 days ago."
Stelter shared the Sony is currently negotiating with potential distributors to release "The Interview" by Christmas Day or it can reveal further plans until early 2015.