The Fallout of "The Interview": Michael Lynton's Regrets

Michael Lynton, the former CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, reflects on his decision to greenlight the controversial film "The Interview," a dark comedy featuring a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In his upcoming memoir, "From Mistakes to Meaning: Owning Your Past So It Doesn’t Own You," Lynton admits that his desire to fit into Hollywood's creative community influenced his hasty decision. He recalls the excitement during the film's initial table read, which led him to bypass standard approval processes.

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On November 24, 2014, Sony's IT systems suffered a catastrophic failure, later attributed to a cyberattack by North Korea in retaliation for the film. This incident resulted in the exposure of sensitive internal communications, employee health records, and unreleased film scripts. Lynton describes the chaos that ensued, stating that 70% of Sony's servers were irreparably damaged, crippling the studio's operations. The fallout included the loss of relationships with major stars such as Will Smith and Angelina Jolie, as well as the resignation of co-chairperson Amy Pascal.

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The release of "The Interview" was ultimately pulled from major theaters due to threats of violence from North Korea. It became the first major studio film to premiere online, generating $40 million in digital rentals and $12.3 million in box office sales. Seth Rogen, who co-directed the film, noted that the incident caused significant shifts in Hollywood, affecting how business was conducted. Lynton acknowledges that the decision to greenlight the film not only damaged his company but also put his family at risk.

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In discussions with former President Barack Obama, Lynton faced pointed questions about his decision-making process. Obama remarked, “What were you thinking when you made killing the leader of a hostile foreign nation a plot point? Of course that was a mistake.” Lynton reflects on this moment as a turning point, recognizing the gravity of his choices.

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Critics argue that Lynton's desire to be accepted in Hollywood led to reckless decision-making. Lynton himself admits to feeling out of place among industry elites, which may have contributed to his vulnerability in the face of peer pressure. He writes, “I considered myself a coolheaded executive until I made a choice that severely damaged my company and colleagues.”

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• “I considered myself a cool-headed executive until I made a choice that severely damaged my company and colleagues — all because I wanted to fit into Hollywood’s creative community — unleashing one of the worst cyberattacks in corporate history,” — Michael Lynton, Former CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment

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• “What were you thinking when you made killing the leader of a hostile foreign nation a plot point? Of course that was a mistake.” — Barack Obama, Former President of the United States

Variety Magazine

• “The party got out of hand, and the company, its employees, my family and I all paid dearly,” Lynton says.” — Michael Lynton

Variety Magazine

The incident surrounding "The Interview" serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of creativity and corporate responsibility, highlighting the potential consequences of decisions made in pursuit of acceptance within a competitive industry.

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