After the news that several theaters in the U.S are to screen the controversial comedy movie The Interview, Sony Pictures CEO Michael Lynton has insisted the studio did not cave under extreme pressure from North Korea to pull the film. Lynton spoke to CNN's Faree Zakaria and addressed comments made by President Barack Obama that Sony made a mistake by cancelling the release. 

The InterviewSeth Rogen [L] and James Franco [R} star in The Interview - which some movie theaters will screen from Christmas Day

"No [We did not make a mistake]. I - I think, actually, the unfortunate part is, in this instance, the president, the press and the public are mistaken as to what actually happened."

"We do not own movie theaters. We cannot determine whether or not a movie will be played in movie theaters," Lynton said.

At least two movie theaters have confirmed they will show the movie on Christmas Day, and the President has encouraged Sony's stance for people to make their own mind up on whether to watch the movie, about the assassination of Kim Jong-Un.

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"As the President made clear, we are a country that believes in free speech, and the right of artistic expression," said White House spokesman Eric Schultz.

"The decision made by Sony Pictures and participating theatres allows people to make their own choices about the film, and we welcome that outcome," he wrote.

"We have not caved," said Lynton when pushed on the fact that The Interview would not get a full release, as intended, "We have not given in. We have persevered and we have not backed down. We have - we have always had every desire to have the American public see this movie."

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