Sony Shifts James Franco & Seth Rogen Comedy THE INTERVIEW to Christmas Day

Sony has officially pushed THE INTERVIEW, the upcoming controversial comedy starring James Franco and Seth Rogen to Christmas Day rom its original October 10 release, it was announced this afternoon.

"The combination of Seth, Evan and James is pure comedic magic," said Sony's Rory Bruer, president of worldwide distribution. "We're thrilled to be making the move to Christmas - one of the most important moviegoing days of the year and the perfect date to show off their brand of comedy."

THE INTERVIEW previously set off a brief firestorm from North Korea earlier this summer, with the North Korea's Kim Myong-chol, described as the "unofficial" spokesperson for the nation's communist leader Kim Jong-un, saying: There is a special irony in this storyline as it shows the desperation of the U.S. government and American society...a film about the assassination of a foreign leader mirrors what the U.S. has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine. And let us not forget who killed [President John F.] Kennedy."

The film stars Rogen, Franco, Lizzy Caplan, Randall Park and Diana Bang. The story centers on celebrity interviewer Dave Skylark (Franco), the host of the hit night time talk show "Skylark Tonight."

The brain behind Dave's empire is his producer and best friend, Aaron Rapoport (Rogen). Unfulfilled, Aaron yearns to do meaningful work. He scores the chance of a lifetime when he secures an interview for Dave with Kim Jong-Un, the mysterious and ruthless dictator of a nuclear-armed North Korea.

As Dave and Aaron prepare to leave for North Korea, they are approached by the CIA and asked to assassinate Kim. They accept the mission, becoming two of the least qualified men ever to assassinate - or interview - the most dangerous man on earth.