Sony backtracks, gives "The Interview" limited release

Sony Pictures did a complete reversal when it announced on Tuesday (December 23) that it will release "The Interview" to a limited number of theaters on Dec. 25, less than a week after it canceled the comedy's release following a devastating cyberattack blamed on North Korea.

The decision comes after hundreds of independent theaters said they wanted to screen the film, which major theater chains backed out of last week owing to security concerns.

The studio said it had never given up on releasing the film and was excited about its Christmas Day showings.

Sony came under pressure to release the movie after President Barack Obama said last Friday that the studio "made a mistake" by bowing to intimidation.

The cyberattack, which began last month, crippled Sony Pictures' computer system and led to an embarrassing leak of internal e-mails and sensitive documents.