Hackers calling themselves Guardians of Peace made ominous threats Tuesday against theaters showing Sony Pictures' movie "The Interview" that referred to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The group also released a trove of data files, including about 8,000 emails from the inbox of Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton.

The data dump was what the hackers called the beginning of a "Christmas gift." But GOP, as the group is known, included a message warning that people should stay away from places where "The Interview" will be shown, including the now-canceled New York premiere. Invoking 9/11, it urged people to leave their homes if located near theaters showing the film.

The Department of Homeland Security said that there was "no credible intelligence to indicate an active plot against movie theaters" but that it was still analyzing the GOP messages. The warning prompted law enforcement in New York and Los Angeles to ramp up security.

"The Interview" is a comedy in which Seth Rogen and James Franco star as television journalists pulled into a CIA plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Rogen and Franco pulled out of all media appearances Tuesday, canceling a BuzzFeed Q&A and Rogen's planned Thursday guest spot on "Late Night With Seth Meyers." The two stars appeared Monday on "Good Morning America," and Rogen was on "The Colbert Report." A representative for Rogen said he had no comment. A spokeswoman for Franco didn't respond to queries Tuesday.

Its New York premiere, which was scheduled for Thursday night at Manhattan's Landmark Sunshine Cinema, has been canceled, according to a Landmark Theatres representative. It premiered in Los Angeles last week and is expected to hit theaters nationwide on Christmas Day.