Kim Jong-un is not laughing at the antics of Seth Rogen and James Franco in their new film, “The Interview.” Despite this, a spokesman for the dictator has said that he will still probably watch it.
Also read: The Secret to Seth Rogen’s Success: Make it Cheap, Make it Dirty and Ignore the Studio
The Columbia Pictures release follows James Franco as a late night talk show host who scores an interview with Kim Jong-un, portrayed in the film by Korean-American actor Randall Park. Upon learning of this, the CIA decides to turn the host and his producer, Seth Rogen, into assassins. State sanctioned hilarity ensues.
“A film about the assassination of a foreign leader mirrors what the U.S. has done in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria and Ukraine,” said Kim Myong-chol, the executive director of The Centre for North Korea-U.S. Peace, in an interview with The London Telegraph.
See video: James Franco and Seth Rogen Are Going to Take Out Kim Jong-Un in ‘The Interview’ Trailer
Kim Myong-chol, who is also an unofficial spokesman for North Korea, though he lives in Japan, added some words of caution for current U.S. leadership. “Let us not forget who killed [President John F.] Kennedy – Americans,” he said. “In fact, President Obama should be careful in case the U.S. military wants to kill him as well.”
He went on, saying that there is an irony to the film, as “it shows the desperation of the U.S. government and American society.” North Korean state media has described “The Interview” as “dirty and cursed,” according to the Telegraph.
See video: Dennis Rodman Offers Prisoner Swap on North Korea: ‘Take Me!’
The message has been received loud and clear in Hollywood. Seth Rogen, who also co-wrote, co-directed, and co-produced the comedy, Tweeted about the interview, saying:
Apparently Kim Jong Un plans on watching #TheInterview. I hope he likes it!! http://t.co/5VrsgYlydE
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) June 20, 2014
We can only hope that “The Great Successor” develops a sense of humor between now and the Oct. 2 release date.