Sony Reverses Course, "The Interview" to Now Play on Christmas Day

Despite threats from hackers, Sony (SNE) Pictures is making the controversial Seth Rogen comedy available at a limited number of theaters starting on Christmas.

The movie studio’s CEO, Michael Lynton, said Tuesday afternoon that “while we hope this is only the first step of the film’s release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech.”

By Tuesday evening, slightly more than 200 independently-owned theaters had agreed to show the film.

More might still get on board: one Sony source said the studio is “still counting” the total number, and that it could end up “around 300.”