Sony Pictures has cancelled the release of The Interview following a terrorism threat.

The controversial comedy stars Seth Rogen and James Franco as TV personalities recruited to kill North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un.

The recent embarrassing email hacking attack on the studio has been claimed by a group citing the film as its motivation - and six major cinema chains had pulled out of showing it.

Hackers had posted a message threatening 9/11-style attacks on cinemas showing the movie.

One read: "The world will be full of fear. Remember the 11th of September 2001. We recommend you to keep yourself distant from the places at that time. (If your house is nearby, you'd better leave.) Whatever comes in the coming days is called by the greed of Sony Pictures Entertainment."

And Sony explained its own move in a lengthy statement, which read: "In light of the decision by the majority of our exhibitors not to show The Interview, we have decided not to move forward with the planned December 25 theatrical release.

"We respect and understand our partners' decision and, of course, completely share their paramount interest in the safety of employees and theater-goers.

"Sony Pictures has been the victim of an unprecedented criminal assault against our employees, our customers, and our business. Those who attacked us stole our intellectual property, private emails, and sensitive and proprietary material, and sought to destroy our spirit and our morale – all apparently to thwart the release of a movie they did not like.

"We are deeply saddened at this brazen effort to suppress the distribution of a movie, and in the process do damage to our company, our employees, and the American public. We stand by our filmmakers and their right to free expression and are extremely disappointed by this outcome."

The studio's move was not a popular one with many of Hollywood's stars and movie-makers however - who expressed their concern on Twitter.

Sad day for creative expression. #feareatsthesoul

— Steve Carell (@SteveCarell) December 17, 2014

Steve Carrell wrote: "Sad day for creative expression. #feareatsthesoul"

And Judd Apatow tweeted: "I think it is disgraceful that these theaters are not showing The Interview. Will they pull any movie that gets an anonymous threat now?"

With Jimmy Kimmell responding: "@JuddApatow I agree wholeheartedly. An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent."

. @JuddApatow I agree wholeheartedly. An un-American act of cowardice that validates terrorist actions and sets a terrifying precedent.

— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) December 17, 2014

Joss Whedon was more reflective, writing: "I have enjoyed movies that offended me deeply. The key to humor is the key to debate, to freedom of thought: difference."

And satirical documentary maker Michael Moore addressed the hackers directly: "Dear Sony Hackers: now that u run Hollywood, I'd also like less romantic comedies, fewer Michael Bay movies and no more Transformers."

I have enjoyed movies that offended me deeply. The key to humor is the key to debate, to freedom of thought: difference.

— Joss Whedon (@josswhedon) December 18, 2014

Dear Sony Hackers: now that u run Hollywood, I'd also like less romantic comedies, fewer Michael Bay movies and no more Transformers.

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 17, 2014