Over 300 independent theaters in the U.S. will screen the Sony Pictures Entertainment film, “The Interview," on Christmas Day on Thursday.
 
Sony said the decision was at the theaters' request and that the movie will be shown at the Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, Texas, and the Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, among other venues. 
 
A number of U.S. independent theaters offered to screen the film after Sony Pictures canceled plans for the film’s Christmas Day release, saying most of its exhibitors planned not to show the movie amid terror threats. Sony has been pondering ways of distributing the film for free online. 
 
Sony Entertainment Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement on Tuesday that Sony has "never given up on releasing ‘The Interview’" and is "excited the movie will be in a number of theaters Christmas Day.” He also said the company was continuing efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that the movie reaches the largest possible audience.