Sony Unleashing 'Freedom Edition' Blu-ray of 'The Interview' Feb. 17

14 Jan, 2015 By: John Latchem

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Striking while the iron is hot, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has slated controversial comedy The Interview for DVD and Blu-ray Feb. 17.

Co-directed by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and co-starring Rogen and James Franco, The Interview deals with a tabloid journalist's interview with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un being co-opted by a CIA assassination attempt. The farcical subject matter drew the ire of the North Korean ruling party and reportedly was the motivation for hacker group Guardians of Peace to break into Sony's servers and release myriad internal memos to the public while demanding the film be scrapped.

A major Christmas Day theatrical release was canceled after hackers threatened moviegoers, prompting Sony to scale down the release to a handful of independent theaters and VOD services. The film, which carried a $44 million budget, has earned nearly $40 million, including about $5.8 million at the box office.

Now, Sony Pictures is planning a "Freedom Edition" Blu-ray of The Interview with more than 90 minutes of bonus features, as well as a slimmer DVD edition.

Bonus features on both the Blu-ray and DVD include audio commentary with Rogen and Goldberg, and the Discovery Channel TV special "Naked and Afraid" featuring Rogen and Franco.

The “Freedom Edition” Blu-ray exclusive extras include deleted scenes, alternate takes, Randall Park's audition tape for playing Kim Jong-un, a gag reel and several featurettes, including: “Directors of This Movie,” a discussion with Rogen and Goldberg; “Puppy Power,” a tribute to the King Charles Spaniel puppy in the film; “Here Kitty Kitty,” in which Rogen breaks down the experience of working with a real tiger; “Joking Around,” with producers discussing creating jokes on set; “Spies Among Us,” a discussion with cast members; “Dating a Dictator,” an authoritative touch on a convincing dating profile video; and “Getting Into Character,” about Park's transformation into the dictator.

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