Report: Original Script Called For 'The Interview' To Be Set In Fictitious Country
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The original script for "The Interview" called for the story to reference a country with a fictitious name, according to a published report.
In an interview with Creative Screenwriting, screenwriter Dan Sterling reportedly said he wrote the script with no actual country involved, KNX 1070's Bob Brill reports.
But after discussing the project with Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg and the executives at Sony Pictures Entertainment, they collectively decided to try writing it about Kim Jong Un.
Once it was in there, Sterling reportedly said: "We knew it was the way to go."
Sterling, who also wrote for "South Park" and "King of the Hill," came up with the idea for "The Interview" in 2011.
Sony Pictures' officials this week said they had no plans to release the film on Christmas Day in the wake of a rambling threat that made reference to Sept. 11, 2001.
In his year-end address, President Barack Obama said he believes Sony made a mistake in canceling the film's release.
Meanwhile, a U.S. official confirmed to CBS News that Sony executives received an email from the hackers Friday praising the company's decision to shelve "The Interview."
The email said in part: "Very wise to cancel 'The Interview.' It will be very useful for you. We ensure the purity of your data and as long as you make no more trouble."
"Now we want you never let the movie released, distributed or leaked in any form, of, for instance, DVD or piracy," the email continued.
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