NEW YORK — Hackers calling themselves Guardians of Peace made ominous threats Tuesday against movie theaters showing Sony Pictures' film ''The Interview'' that referred to the terrorist attacks of Sept.11, 2001. The group also released a trove of data files, including about 8,000 e-mails from the inbox of Sony Entertainment chief executive Michael Lynton.
The data dump was what the hackers called the beginning of a ''Christmas gift.'' But GOP, as the group is known, included a message warning that people should stay away from places where ''The Interview'' will be shown, including an upcoming premiere. Invoking 9/11, it urged people to leave their homes if located near theaters showing the film.
The Department of Homeland Security said there was ''no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters'' but noted it was still analyzing the GOP messages. The warning did prompt law enforcement in New York and Los Angeles to address measures to ramp up security.
''The Interview'' is a comedy in which Seth Rogen and James Franco star as television journalists involved in a CIA plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Its New York premiere is scheduled for Thursday at Manhattan's Landmark Sunshine and is expected to hit theaters nationwide on Christmas Day. It premiered in Los Angeles last week.
Rogen and Franco pulled out of all media appearances Tuesday, canceling a Buzzfeed Q&A and Rogen's planned guest spot Thursday on ''Late Night With Seth Meyers.''