This photo released by Sony - Columbia Pictures shows James Franco, left, as Dave and Seth Rogen as Aaron in a scene from Columbia Pictures' "The Interview."Ed Araquel/The Associated Press
Its release initially shelved by Sony Pictures over security concerns, Seth Rogen's screwball comedy about the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sparked inventive thinking in film distribution. Available previously online, The Interview makes its Canadian theatre premiere on Jan. 2, but what comes next?
Offending internationally becomes standard market practice. By provoking a thermonuclear threat, The Interview received outstanding publicity. Now Egypt, Morocco and United Arab Emirates have drawn a line in the sand and banned Ridley Scott's biblical epic Exodus: Gods and Kings. Holy Moses, you can't buy that kind of press.
Randall Park breaks out. Best known for his recurring role on HBO's Veep, the Korean-American actor was the best part of The Interview, as Kim Jong-un. While the original script called for the chubby supreme leader to be played straight and severe, Park's portrayal – insecure, cagey and even sweet – was nuanced.
Transdermal time-delayed ricin strips become a thing. Forget James Bond's exploding pens, these flesh-coloured poison patches, central to The Intervew's CIA plot, turn handshakes deadly, and should be in every film assassin's arsenal.
Stars live-tweeting their films could become standard practice. On Jan. 28, Rogen, James Franco and co-director Evan Goldberg took to social media to live-tweet a complete viewing of the film. Because the film was available by video on demand (VOD), the viewing experience could be synchronized.
James Franco leaves comedy. Years ago, the director Judd Apatow suggested that the creatively frustrated Franco "come back to the comedy world." As the results have been mixed, it's probably time for the actor to take a hiatus from the goofy stuff.
Ultimately, business as usual. Screenings at independent cinemas have done well, even though the film was available online for purchase and rental. Still, it is unlikely the practice of releasing a film digitally and in theatres simultaneously will take off. Theatre chains depend on exclusive first run content to survive, and the studios aren't about to undercut the exhibitors.
Brad Wheeler