Ex-Sony CEO Calls ‘The Interview’ His Biggest Career Mistake, Says Obama Asked Him “What Were You Thinking?” After Cyber Hack

Hollywood Reporter

by Lexi Carson

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Ex-Sony CEO Michael Lynton has reflected on what he calls “the biggest mistake of my career” — greenlighting the 2014 film *The Interview*, a dark comedy starring Seth Rogen and James Franco about a plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In his upcoming memoir, Lynton reveals how this decision led to a devastating cyberattack on Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2014, which resulted in the hacking of 70% of the company’s servers. The attack exposed confidential scripts and personal information, prompting the FBI to investigate and ultimately determine that North Korea was behind it as an act of retaliation. This incident not only forced *The Interview* to be pulled from theaters but also damaged Sony’s relationships with industry figures like Will Smith, Adam Sandler, and Angelina Jolie. Former President Barack Obama even called Lynton to criticize the decision, asking, “What were you thinking when you made killing the leader of a hostile foreign nation a plot point?” Lynton attributes his decision to greenlight *The Interview* to his desire to fit in with the entertainment industry’s elite and gain approval from influential figures. He admits that his motivation stemmed from a personal need to belong, rather than a calculated business decision. This impulse led to what he now recognizes as a lack of courage to make responsible choices. Lynton reflects on feeling exhausted by playing the “responsible adult” in the industry and wanting to join the “badass gang” making subversive films. However, this decision spiraled out of control, resulting in severe consequences for Sony, its employees, and his own family. The fallout from *The Interview* serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of blending political satire with entertainment. The incident highlights how decisions made in the entertainment industry can have far-reaching consequences, not just creatively but also on a national security level. Lynton’s memoir offers insight into

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Originally published on Hollywood Reporter on 2/22/2026