Paramount puts stop to 'Team America' showings

RICHARDSON, Texas (KGO) -- Paramount Pictures has reportedly ordered theaters across the U.S. to not screen "Team America: World Police" in place of Sony's canceled Christmas Day release of "The Interview."

After Sony canceled the release of "The Interview," which depicts a hapless assassination attempt on North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, a Dallas-area theater pledged to screen "Team America: World Police," which lampoons Kim's late father, Kim Jong Il.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in Richardson on Thursday advertised the Dec. 27 showing of "Team America" as a show of support for freedom. It says it marks the 10-year anniversary of the film by "South Park" creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, which featured a puppet version of Kim Jong Il as a singing, lonely villain.

On Thursday, however, Alamo tweeted: "Due to to (sic) circumstances beyond our control, the TEAM AMERICA 12/27 screening has been cancelled. We apologize & will provide refunds today."

Other theaters chimed in on Twitter as well.

Capitol Theater in Ohio tweeted: "Please note: Our Late Shift screening of Team America: World Police has been canceled by Paramount Pictures."

And Plaza Atlanta's tweet reads: "Breaking Plaza news: Team America World Police pulled from all theatres as per Paramount Pictures."

Sony Corp. is dealing with the fallout from a massive hacking scandal. It canceled the release after theaters were threatened.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.