Stars criticize decision to pull 'The Interview'

• Celebrities use social media to express outrage at decision to cancel plans to release controversial film


• U.S. investigators appear ready to blame North Korea for the hack attack on Sony


• Controversial comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco depicts the assassination of North Korea's leader

(CNN) -- Celebrities expressed their outrage at Sony Picture's decision to cancel plans to release "The Interview" on Christmas Day on Twitter.

The news comes after many major theater owners canceled next week's screenings of the controversial film, which depicts the assassination of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un.

Sony pulls 'The Interview' amid threats

U.S. investigators appeared ready to blame North Korea for the crippling hack attack at Sony Pictures, which saw the leak of internal emails and personal information that escalated to a threat that people should avoid going to theaters where "The Interview" is playing.

When the film was pulled, celebrities vented their disappointment and raised concerns about the precedent it would set for controversial films in the future.

Actor Judd Apatow, a friend of one of the film's lead actors Seth Rogen, 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?

. @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

West Wing actor Rob Lowe, who also makes a cameo appearance in the film said: "Wow. Everyone caved. The hackers won. An utter and complete victory for them. Wow."

Stand-up comedian Amy Schumer let it all out in expletives: "No bulls*** though, this is seriously f***** and it's such a sad day for free speech. Frightening."

Actress Mia Farrow called Sony "a disgrace" and that "the bad guys won".

Sony is a disgrace. Sickening.

— mia farrow (@MiaFarrow) December 18, 2014

Filmmmaker Michael Moore decided to use the opportunity to ask the hackers for a favor.

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

He later added: "Oh, hackers, one more thing - I lost like $180K on [my film] 'Canadian Bacon.' Can u do the opposite of what u just did & get it back IN to theaters?"

No one should kid themselves. With the Sony collapse America has lost its first cyberwar. This is a very very dangerous precedent.

— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) December 17, 2014

We do not negotiate with terrorists. We just do exactly what they say.

— Damon Wayans Yunior? (@wayansjr) December 18, 2014

Meanwhile, Seth Rogen posted a review of the film earlier this week, but neither he nor James Franco addressed the controversy directly on social media.