It seems that the biggest news besides cheap gas has been the hacking of Sony Pictures. To give you a little background Sony Studios computer systems were hacked on November 24th followed by an ominous warning that read; “Hacked by #GOP. Warning: We’ve already warned you, and this is just the beginning. We have obtained all your internal data including secrets and top secrets.” It is believed that the motivation for the hack was the planned release of the film “The Interview.” The film is a fictional comedy about a plot to assassinate the leader of North Korea. The North Koreans have called the film an act of war. But it has not been proven they were involved in the sabotage and the North Koreans have denied any involvement.
A cascade of events followed the hacking including the release of un-released Sony movies and scripts, threats to Sony employees, terrorist threats to theaters and eventually the cancellation of the movie’s release.
According to recent report there is evidence that North Korea was responsible for the hack and the U.S. government is about to announce they have evidence of North Korean involvement.
As result of the hack many internal emails of Sony executives have become public. What these emails reveal is how nasty things are behind the scenes of a major Hollywood movie maker especially when it come to black celebrities.
Among the black celebrities caught up in the Sony hacking is none other than Kevin Hart. One of the emails released by the hackers is from Sony executive Clint Culpepper who refers to Hart as a “whore.” Culpepper expressed his opinion of Hart when the comedic actor refused to promote his movie on social media without additional pay. Culpepper’s email read; “I’m not saying he’s a whore, but he’s a whore.” Culpeper wrote the email in an exchange with Sony co-chair Amy Pascal and CEO Michael Lynton.
Hart responded via Instagram by writing “Knowing your self worth is extremely important people…I worked very hard to get where I am today,” I look at myself as a brand and because of that I will never allow myself to be taken advantage of. I OWN MY BRAND…I MAKE SMART DECISIONS FOR MY BRAND… which is why I’m able to brush ignorance off of my shoulder and continue to move forward. I refuse to be broken people…with that being said it’s now time for me to get back to building this empire that I’ve always dreamed of!!!”
Kevin Hart was not the only African-American disparaged by Sony executives. President Obama was also mentioned in emails between Sony execs.
Sony co-chairperson Amy Pascal, a donor and Obama supporter exchanged racist tinged emails with movie producer Scott Rudin ahead of a fundraiser. Pascal, referring to “…this stupid Jeffrey (Katzenberg) breakfast,” asked what she should ask the President ” Rudin replied “would he like to finance some movies.”
Pascal continued, “I doubt it. Should I ask him if he liked DJANGO?” Pascal responded, Rudin then retorted: “12 Years.” The exchange went on, “Or the butler, or think like a man?” To which Rudin wrote: “Ride-along. I bet he likes Kevin Hart.”
Other leaked emails revealed that Matthew Knowles, the father of Beyoncé approached Sony about a movie project. In the email Culpepper wrote to Pascal and other Sony executives, “Beyonce’s father wants to make the film of Destiny’s Child and came to me first.” He went on, “‘He’s going to Universal next. Do we think it would be a successful film? They’re on the Sony label. I’m just not sure that it’s not too soon.”
Rapper Kanye West’s name was also found among the leaked emails. The messages revealed a discussion of a feature film starring the rapper.
Tom Rothman head of Sony sub-division Tri-Star Pictures, criticized Jaden and Willow Smith, son and daughter of Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith, for a New York Times interview .
Rothman sent an email to Pascal with a link to the interview. In the interview the Smith siblings claim they can control time and discuss ‘Prana energy’. In the email, dated November 18th, 2014, Rothman wrote “1. Read this. 2. they r home schooled: don’t let this family date your movies!!!”
Denzel Washington, one of America’s most beloved black actors, was also the target of a racist emails inside Sony Pictures. According to the leaked emails Washington’s color was seen as a liability with executives saying he should not get lead roles in international films because he is black.
The actual email was sent by a single unidentified producer emailing Sony chairman Michael Lynton. The email read in part “I believe that the international motion picture audience is racist – in general pictures with an African American lead don’t play well overseas,” the producer continued.
The anonymous producer who sent the e-mail said he or she hoped the incredible statement wasn’t “inappropriate or provocative.” But it is clear from the email that the producer is suggesting Sony should avoid casting black actors to appeal to an international market that the producer saw as “racist.”
Sony executives Lynton, Pascal and Rudin and other’s email reveal the nasty side of the entertainment industry and spared few celebrities. In their exchanges the executives reffered to Angelina Jolie as a “spoiled brat,” and additional caustic comments were made about Tom Cruise, David Fincher, Aaron Sorkin, and Adam Sandler.