‘The Interview' to screen in some Sonoma County theaters Thursday (w/video)

Theaters in Petaluma, Sonoma and Sebastopol are the only movie houses in Sonoma County scheduled to show 'The Interview' on Christmas Day after Sony Entertainment on Tuesday reversed course and decided to release the comedy depicting a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.

Major theater chains balked last week at releasing the film after hackers, who broke into Sony's computers, threatened to stage terrorist attacks against theaters that showed the movie. Sony later announced it was canceling the film's Christmas week release, a decision criticized by President Barack Obama, among others.

The Rialto in Sebastopol and Boulevard 14 Cinemas in Petaluma and Sonoma 9 Cinemas, both owned by Cinema West, will show the movie Thursday.

'We believe in freedom of speech and we're going to show it,' said David Corkill, owner of Cinema West.

Corkill said his theaters would have an extra security guard on duty Christmas Day. Guests will not be allowed to bring in bags or backpacks, he said.

'We're taking extra precautions,' he said. 'We want to make sure our customers feel safe.'

He said he expects a large turnout for the movie, especially with all of the buzz the dust-up has generated.

Other Sonoma County theaters wanted to show the movie, but got the word too late that Sony was releasing the Seth Rogen/James Franco comedy. Santa Rosa Entertainment Group, which owns four Sonoma County theaters including the Roxy Stadium 14 and Airport Stadium 12, already booked other movies after Sony last week initially canceled the release of 'The Interview,' said Dan Tocchini, CEO.

'We have other commitments to live up to,' he said. 'It was too short of notice.'

You can reach Staff Writer Matt Brown at 521-5206 or matt.brown@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @MattBrownPD.