Box Office: THE INTERVIEW Has $18 Million Opening

With over 2 million online downloads and/or rentals ($15 million) and nearly $3 million in limited theatrical release, the Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy THE INTERVIEW ended it's non-traditional first weekend with very nice numbers.

Although the number of theaters showing the flick was closer to 300 instead of the planned 3,000, Sony Pictures has to be happy at the box office numbers today considering the initial estimates for the first week of the film was around $20 million.

In addition to limited theatrical release, the film is available on demand online via YouTube, Google Play, Microsoft Xbox, and iTunes.

 iTunes was added to the list of online outlets after the numbers through Saturday were tallied. Netflix is reportedly working to secure THE INTERVIEW but no word yet on those negotiations.

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Eminem "Comes Out" In THE INTERVIEW

In the newly released Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy film The Interview, rapper Eminem "comes out" during an appearance in the film's talk show Skylark.

In the scene, when asked what his lyrics mean, Eminem tells James Franco’s talk show host character he is ‘gay’ and ‘a homosexual’.

‘When I say things about gay people, or people think my lyrics are homophobic – it’s because I’m gay.’

When Franco's character - in freakout mode - asks Eminem to clarify, the rapper says, ‘I’m more shocked that people haven’t figured it out yet. I mean, it’s kind of like I’ve been playing gay peek-a-boo.’

In the TV studio control room, pandemonium ensues as Seth Rogen, as producer of the show, starts pulling up gay-related lyrics from Eminem's catalog even as he's throwing Em's publicist out of the control room.

In real life, Em has had a love/hate relationship with the LGBT community as he's frequently written homophobic lyrics. But the rapper has always contended he's not an enemy of the community and the lyrics represent his performance art and not his heart.

Seth Rogen/James Franco Flick Debuts On YouTube

And the James Franco/Seth Rogen flick - now of North Korean terrorist threat cancellation fame - makes it to YouTube!

(All the cool kids are doing it...)

Sony Pictures has released the film on YouTube for the low, low price of $5.99!

Here's the synopsis: In the action-comedy The Interview, Dave Skylark (James Franco) and his producer Aaron Rapoport (Seth Rogen) run the popular celebrity tabloid TV show 'Skylark Tonight.' When they discover that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is a fan of the show, they land an interview with him in an attempt to legitimize themselves as journalists. As Dave and Aaron prepare to travel to Pyongyang, their plans change when the CIA recruits them, perhaps the most unlikely candidates, to 'take out' Kim Jong-un.

THE INTERVIEW Will Be Released Online Today At 10AM

Sony Pictures Entertainment has announced plans for streaming it's film, “The Interview,” on Google Play, YouTube Movies, Microsoft’s Xbox Video and its own website www.seetheinterview.com for $5.99 starting today at 10AM Pacific.

In addition, the studio announced a coalition about 250 independently owned movie theaters (known as Arthouse Convergence) plan to screen the film beginning Christmas Day.

“It has always been Sony’s intention to have a national platform on which to release this film,” said Michael Lynton, chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment.

“With that in mind, we reached out to Google, Microsoft and other partners last Wednesday, Dec. 17th, when it became clear our initial release plans were not possible.

"We are pleased we can now join with our partners to offer the film nation-wide today.”

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Sony Pictures Will Release THE INTERVIEW On Christmas Day

Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory
— Tim League (@timalamo) December 23, 2014

According to NPR, theaters that are willing to screen the film will do so on Christmas Day.

In a statement, Michael Lynton, Sony's chairman and CEO, said: "We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we're excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day."

He said the studio will continue its efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters to show the film. Variety reported that Sony could offer the film via video on demand.

The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) December 23, 2014

Breaking news: Sony has authorized screenings of THE INTERVIEW on Christmas Day. We are making shows available within the hour. #Victory
— Tim League (@timalamo) December 23, 2014

Breaking Plaza News: The Interview will open Exclusive on 12/25 . The Plaza will be one of the few theaters in the nation to open the film .
— Plaza Atlanta (@PlazaAtlanta) December 23, 2014

Dr. Evil Takes Over SNL Cold Opening

Mike Myers' "Dr. Evil" interrupted the cold opening of Saturday Night Live to scold North Korea for it's alleged threats to Sony Pictures over the James Franco/Seth Rogen film "The Interview."

Says Myers: "Why pick on Sony? They haven't had a hit since the Walkman."