'The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed!': Seth Rogen and James Franco celebrate as over 300 cinemas now agree to screen The Interview, with Obama saying he 'applauds' the film's controversial release

• Sony will release their film The Interview in over 300 independent theaters on Christmas day and on video on-demand
• This just one week after they decided not to distribute the film following the reluctance of theaters to play the film in the aftermath of terrorist threats 
• Government officials have now revealed that North Korea was behind the hack and threats
• They had hoped to stop the distribution of the Kim Jong-un assassination film
• James Franco shared his joy on Instagram, thanking President Obama and then mocking him for flubbing his name at a news conference last week
• President Obama 'applauds' Sony's decision, the White House said
• Seth Rogen, who co-directed the movie, posted: 'Freedom has prevailed' 

Over 300 independent US theaters have now confirmed they will in fact screen beleaguered Seth Rogen and James Franco film The Interview this week.

Despite announcing they would not distribute the controversial movie in the aftermath of a terrorist threat from hacking organization Guardians of Peace, Sony announced Tuesday the film will play in selected theaters and on video on-demand from Christmas Day.

The major cinemas - who feared running the comedy would make them terror targets - still refuse to play The Interview, chopping down Sony's original release schedule from around 3,000 screens across the country to just over 300.

The studio released a statement on Tuesday confirming the news, with both Rogen and Franco sharing their joy at the update and even President Obama applauding the move as artistic freedom. 

Scroll down for videos 

In theaters: Sony has announced they will release their film The Interview on Christmas day on over 300 cinemas, despite canning the film a week ago

Not happy: It is believed that North Korea was attempting to stop the release of the film as it depicts the assassination of its leader Kim Jong-un, played by American actor Randall Park

Excitement: Seth Rogen shared how happy he was on Twitter Tuesday afternoon

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Celebration: James Franco got in on the fun too, sharing a picture of him and Seth

Last week, Obama said he was disappointed at Sony for canceling The Interview during a press conference and went on to flub Franco's name.

'"The Interview" starring Seth Rogen and James Flacco saved by President Obacco! I MEAN PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!!! Sorry!!!' wrote Franco on his Instagram. 

Obama had called the actor James Flacco, while calling Sony's decision to not release the film a 'mistake.'

It would seem that he had confused the Hollywood heartthrob with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.

Flacco found the entire incident hysterical, writing soon after on Twitter; 'Welcome to the family, brother. @JamesFrancoTV.'

James Who? Obama gaffes over James Franco

‘The president applauds Sony's decision to authorize screenings of the film,’ the White House said in a statement to the Huffington Post on Tuesday.

‘As the President made clear, we are a country that believes in free speech, and the right of artistic expression. The decision made by Sony and participating theaters allows people to make their own choices about the film, and we welcome that outcome.’ 

Sony CEO Michael Lynton said in a statement:  'We're excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day.

'I want to thank our talent on The Interview and our employees, who have worked tirelessly through the many challenges we have all faced over the last month.'

He then added, '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. 

Seth Rogen shared his excitement on Twitter, writing; '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!' 

'VICTORY!!!!!!! The PEOPLE and THE PRESIDENT have spoken!!! SONY to release THE INTERVIEW in theaters on XMAS DAY!' said James Franco on Instagram. 

According to The Daily Beast, Alamo Drafthouse were instrumental in seeing The Interview getting the release it so desperately wanted.  

Alamo founder Tim league told the site they worked with Arthouse Convergence - which represents about 250 independent theaters - on a petition signed by hundreds of art house cinemas that supported being able to play The Interview.

'As a result of that, we started having conversations with Sony, but (Tuesday) morning was the first definitive, ''Yes, we’re going to release it on Christmas Day'',’ League told the site.

The Alamo has theaters in California, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Texas, and Virginia. 

Sony had been widely criticized following their decision last week to shelf the movie, despite the fact that the film cost $42million to make and tens of millions to market. 

Almost immediately, many in Hollywood voiced their concern, with writer Aaron Sorkin saying how upset he was that 'the U.S. succumbed to an unprecedented attack on our most cherished, bedrock principle of free speech by a group of North Korean terrorists,' and director Judd Apatow explaining the many problems this means for films moving forward. 

George Clooney also weighed in, saying; 'We cannot be told we can't see something by Kim Jong-un, of all f***ing people.' 

FINAL TRAILER: Franco and Rogen star in 'The Interview'

Supreme leader: Kim Jong-un (above) has denied that North Korea has anything to do with the hacking or threats of terrorism 

Get your tickets: the Plaza Atlanta (above) is one of the theaters that will be playing The Interview

Coming soon: Posters advertising The Interview were put up outside Alamo Drafthouse in Texas (above)

Sony Pictures allows some theaters to show 'The Interview'

Regal, AMC, Cinemark, Cineplex and Carmike, who between them operate more than half of the country's 40,000 cinemas, had announced last Wednesday that they wouldn't be showing the movie.

In a statement, Regal said it was delaying any showings of The Interview because of 'the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats.'

The statement from Regal's vice president of marketing and communications also pointed the finger of blame at Sony and its 'wavering support' for the movie.

Sony had previously told exhibitors that the company understood if they pulled the film in light of the threats.

'Due to the wavering support of the film The Interview by Sony Pictures, as well as the ambiguous nature of any real or perceived security threats, Regal Entertainment Group has decided to delay the opening of the film in our theaters,' said Regal's Russ Nunley.

Cineplex, which also has more than a 75 percent market share in Canada with 161 theaters and 1,639 screens, also released a statement on Wednesday. 

As for international distribution, Sony had no comment on the planned February 6 release of the film in the UK.

The film will also open in Lebanon and Iraq on Christmas.

Deadline reports that the studio had decided against releasing the film in Asia months ago. 

Celebrate: James Franco shared his joy on Instagram (above) Tuesday

Overseas: A rep for Sony had no comment on the film's panned February 6 release in the UK

Global markets: The Interview is also set to open in Lebanon and Iraq on Christmas

Rogen: We wanted to make a movie that had one foot in reality

Government officials have now revealed that North Korea was behind the hack on the movie studio, upset that they were set to release the film, which depicts the assassination of the leader.

North Korea has denied any involvement. 

It is not yet known what other theaters may play the picture. 

The fallout from the Sony Pictures Entertainment hack that began five weeks ago exploded last week after the Guardians of Peace escalated their attack beyond corporate espionage and threatened moviegoers with violence reminiscent of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

The seriousness of the threat made last Tuesday is still unclear.

The Department of Homeland Security said Tuesday there was 'no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters,' but noted it was still analyzing messages from the group.  

Where is The Interview playing on Christmas Day? At over 300 cinemas ....

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Source: Just Jared