Ex-Sony Exec Regrets ‘The Interview’ After Obama Called It a Mistake

Michael Lynton, the former CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, now expresses deep regret over greenlighting the 2014 comedy-action film The Interview, a decision he describes as the “biggest mistake of my career.” The film, starring Seth Rogen and James Franco, centered on a fictional plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and its production triggered a massive cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment.

The Fallout from a Controversial Comedy

In excerpts from his upcoming memoir, “From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn’t Own You,” Lynton details the events surrounding the film and the subsequent fallout. He recounts being informed on November 24, 2014, that approximately 70% of Sony’s servers were irreparably damaged by hackers [The Wrap]. The attack resulted in the release of stolen emails, confidential scripts, and personal information, including that of Lynton’s family.

The threats from hacker groups led to major U.S. Theater chains pulling the film from release ahead of its scheduled Christmas Day debut [IndieWire]. The FBI later determined that North Korea was likely behind the cyberattack [The Wrap].

Obama’s Reaction and Lynton’s Regret

The repercussions of the decision extended beyond the technical damage. Lynton notes that the studio’s relationships with prominent industry figures, including Will Smith, Adam Sandler, and Angelina Jolie, were negatively impacted [IndieWire]. Adding to the weight of the situation, former President Barack Obama reportedly questioned Lynton’s judgment, asking, “What were you thinking when you made killing the leader of a hostile foreign nation a plot point? Of course that was a mistake.” [Variety]

Lynton attributes his initial decision to a “desire to belong” and a need for validation within Hollywood’s creative community [The Wrap]. He admits to prioritizing the opinions of others and wanting to be seen as part of a “badass gang” that produced subversive movies [The Wrap].

“My middle-school self took over, and my adult self lost the courage to disappoint the other kids,” Lynton wrote in his memoir. “The party got out of hand, and the company, its employees, my family and I all paid dearly.”