ATLANTA - A dozen people with cameras watched in the rain Tuesday as the Plaza Theatre changed its schedule and made a statement with two new words on the marquee: The Interview.
"The Interview" is a comedy about the fictional assassination of North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un. It got pulled after North Korea threatened to retaliate against theaters.
But the Plaza is showing it anyway, with the blessing of Sony Pictures.
"(We're taking) some precautions, as anyone would if you're in this situation," said Michael Furlinger, owner of the Plaza. "But I'm certainly not overly concerned about it. But we're gonna play it smart."
Furlinger bought the theater in 2012. It turned 75 this year. The Plaza, on Ponce de Leon Ave. at Highland, is best known for its
"Censorship, blackmail, no way," Furlinger said. "Yeah, I want butts in the seats."
And he's already getting them. As the Plaza began posting its plan to play The Interview starting Christmas day, customers began vying for tickets.
"I'm glad this theater is showing this movie. Theyre doing the right thing," said Anthony Lorusso, who sought advance tickets at the Plaza Wednesday. He admitted he'd have waited for its DVD release, were it not for the international dustup.
That gamesmanship "completely changes things for sure. I want to see it a lot more," said Colby Cohen, another advance ticket buyer. "Gonna get to fight terrorism on Christmas day now, so it's good."
Furlinger predicts The Interview will play at the Plaza Theatre through New Year's Day "at least."
