Sen. Kirk 'disappointed' in Sony, vows to screen 'The Interview' at fundraiser

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Sen. Mark Kirk said he is "pretty disappointed" in Sony Pictures Entertainment's decision to cancel the release of "The Interview" after a hacking attack and vowed to show the movie at a fundraising event.

"I'm going to hold the first big Kirk for Senate fundraiser at a screening of 'The Interview,'" Kirk told WBEZ's "The Afternoon Shift" on Thursday.

He said he wants to screen the movie about a plot to assassinate North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un to show "the North Koreans that you cannot edit what we want to see and do under the First Amendment."

The comedy starring Seth Rogan and James Franco was due to open in wide release on Christmas Day, but Sony indefinitely delayed the film's opening after the hacking attack and subsequent threats from a group identifying itself as Guardians of Peace.

Kirk said delaying the movie's release sent the wrong message to send to terrorists.

"It was a terrible message to the terrorists to give them what they wanted and as Americans under the First Amendment we should never have to ask North Korea for permission as to what movie we can (see)," Kirk said.

"Your birthright as an American citizen, you never have to ask North Koreans for permission for what movie you can see. I hope that now all the media about his movie makes it a smash hit and that we see many more movies like it, and teach the North Koreans a lesson about what Americans can and cannot do."

The FBI Friday formally accused the North Korean government of being responsible for the hacking attack against Sony and President Barack Obama declared the United State would respond.