Moviegoers who attended a midnight screening of the controversial film "The Interview" got a pleasant surprise. The movie's star and co-director Seth Rogen joined his fellow director, Evan Goldberg, in thanking moviegoers for their patronage.
The duo popped by The Cinefamily theater in Los Angeles early Thursday morning to praise those who attended the showing.
"You are the best. We thought this might not happen at all," Rogen said, raising his canned beverage.
"The fact that it's showing here and you guys all came out," Goldberg added, mentioning that they both live near the theater.
"Is super f****** exciting!" Rogen chimed in. "If it wasn't for theaters like this, and people like you guys, this literally would not be ... happening," he said.
Sony Pictures Entertainment controversially canceled the initial release after threats from hackers. The movie—featuring a fictional assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un—is now showing at more than 200 theaters nationwide, though many of the country's biggest chains have refused to take the risk. Sony additionally shared the movie online for at-home streaming.
In response, a North Korean diplomat said the country will not take "physical action," but continues to condemn the film.
That hasn't stopped many viewers who took to social media to share images of themselves watching the movie calling them "free speech selfies."