The Interview, a movie starring Seth Rogen and James Franco could well set off World War III…or whatever North Korea can muster up. The movie is about two journalists who are sent to assassinate leader Kim-Jong-un. The North Korean government released a statement that read
"The act of making and screening such a movie that portrays an attack on our top leadership... is a most wanton act of terror and act of war, and is absolutely intolerable." If the movie isn’t pulled from release there will be an "resolute and merciless response"
Kim Myong-chol, director of the Center for North Korea–U.S. Peace is also an unofficial spokesman for North Korea, denounced the film in an interview with The Telegraph last week stating
"There is a special irony in this story line as it shows the desperation of the US government and American society. A film about the assassination of a foreign leader mirrors what the US has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. And let us not forget who killed [President John F.] Kennedy – Americans. In fact, President [Barack] Obama should be careful in case the US military wants to kill him as well."
He also stated that leader Kim-Jong-un would probably would still see the movie.
Seth Rogen (while his co-star James Franco remains silent) has taken to twitter saying
People don't usually wanna kill me for one of my movies until after they've paid 12 bucks for it. Hiyooooo!!!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) June 25, 2014
To the best of my knowledge, that’s the first time a movie has sparked such a reaction. There is probably a good publicity stunt that North Korea could pull off here and capitalise on the limelight. And it’s a cheaper option than a war anyway.
