CEBU, Philippines - North Korea is not amused by the upcoming James Franco-Seth Rogen comedy “The Interview.â€
The regime has already condemned the film, which won’t open until October. Kim Myong-chol, executive director of the Centre for North Korea-US Peace and an unofficial spokesman for the regime in Pyongyang, was dismissive in an interview with the Telegraph.
“There is a special irony in this storyline as it shows the desperation of the US government and American society,†he said.
Franco portrays the host of a nighttime talk show “Skylark Tonight,†with Rogen as his best friend and producer, and secures an interview with Kim Jong-un, the mysterious and ruthless dictator of North Korea. The duo is then approached by the CIA and asked to assassinate the Korean leader, played by Korean-American actor Randall Park.
Kim Myong-chol told the Telegraph that the dictator would probably watch the film despite the government’s opposition. “A film about the assassination of a foreign leader mirrors what the US has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine,†he added. “And let us not forget who killed [President] Kennedy – Americans. In fact, President Obama should be careful in case the US military wants to kill him as well.â€
Rogen reacted to the story with a tweet on his account that said, “Apparently, Kim Jong-un plans to watch ‘The Interview.’ I hope he likes it!â€
Kim also told the newspaper that James Bond movies are better than Hollywood films.
“The Interview†also stars Lizzy Caplan, and Rogen co-directs alongside Evan Goldberg. Sony released its first trailer for on June 11.