Sony Corp. has cancelled the release of movie The Interview following threats from hackers that are set to be confirmed by the United States Government as being sponsored by North Korea.

The Seth Rogen/ James Franco comedy portrays two hapless journalists who are recruited into a CIA-led plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The cancellation comes on the heels of threats from the group of hackers that cinemas that show the movie will be attacked Aurora-shooting style; major chains including Regal Entertainment, AMC Entertainment, Cinemark, Carmike Cinemas and Cineplex Entertainment had already announced that they would not be showing the film according to the Hollywood Reporter.

Rumors that the hack was ordered by North Korea have been circulating for weeks, however reports state that the U.S. Government is set to confirm on Thursday that the hacking was state-sponsored by North Korea.

CNN ran news on Wednesday that U.S. Government sources had confirmed that “North Korean leaders ordered attack on Sony” and the New York Times quoted unnamed U.S. intelligence officials saying that the North Korea was “centrally involved” in the hack.

Corporate decisions

“In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show the film The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release” Sony Pictures Entertainment said in a statement. “We respect and understand our partners’ decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.”

“Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business,” the statement went on. “Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like. We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome.”

The hacking of Sony has been an ongoing nightmare for the company since late November, at first crippling its networks, then embarrassingly exposing internal correspondence and secrets, including financials, movie scripts, the personal details of celebrities and even apparent racism from its management.

In response to the hacking, Sony has even been reported to have launched DDoS attacks in revenge.

There is no word whether Sony will release the movie at the later date.