Shane Nyman

USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

"The Interview" will open on Fox Valley screens after all.

After Sony announced Tuesday the Seth Rogen-James Franco comedy that prompted an international incident with North Korea and outrage over its canceled release would be in "a number of theaters" on Christmas Day, Grand Cinema Theatres in New London was among those welcoming the opportunity to show the film.

Sony reached out Tuesday to see if the independent theater, which had planned to show "The Interview" before the release was called off last week, would like to go ahead and play the film.

"We kind of hemmed and hawed over it because there is a safety issue, but we feel that this is America and we should be able to show what we want to show without fear," Grand Cinema Theatres general manager Sydni Williams said. "So we're showing it without fear."

The movie will open Thursday. It plays at 4, 6:30 and 9 p.m. through Jan. 1 (except Dec. 31, where there will not be a 9 p.m. show). Grand Cinema is one of more than 200 theaters to show the film, down from an original release planned in 3,000.

The Fond du Lac Theatre also has it added to its upcoming schedule.

The Christmas release for "The Interview" had been canceled last week after a group of hackers known as Guardians of Peace threatened terrorist attacks against theaters showing the film. The decision drew widespread criticism, including from President Barack Obama, who chastised Sony for what he deemed "a mistake" that went against American principles of free speech.

Williams said part of the decision-making process to play R-rated farce about two TV journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un included consulting with the New London Police Department.

"They didn't seem to have many concerns at all so we went with it," she said.

Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton said Sony is continuing its efforts to release the film on more platforms and in more theaters.

"We have never given up on releasing 'The Interview,'" Lynton said in a statement Tuesday. "While we hope this is only the first step of the film's release, we are proud to make it available to the public and to have stood up to those who attempted to suppress free speech."

Rogen, who stars in and co-directed the film with Evan Goldberg, tweeted Tuesday afternoon: "The people have spoken! Freedom has prevailed! Sony didn't give up! The Interview will be shown at theaters willing to play it on Xmas day!"

—The Associated Press contributed to this report.