James Franco and Seth Rogan

Movie stars are usually eager to yuk it up with late-night talk show hosts to promote their upcoming films, but you won't see actors James Franco and Seth Rogen on anyone's couch talking about their upcoming comedy The Interview. The duo has decided to cancel all media appearances to promote the film after threats were made against theaters showing the movie, Buzzfeed reports.

The hacker group Guardians of Peace, the same collective behind the now infamous Sony hacks,released a statement through file-sharing services on Tuesday promising 9/11-type destruction to theaters that show The Interview when it debuts on Christmas Day.

The statement reads (with many odd choices of syntax) in part, "We will clearly show it to you at the very time and places The Interview be shown, including the premiere, how bitter fate those who seek fun in terror should be doomed to. Soon all the world will see what an awful movie Sony Pictures Entertainment has made."

Los Angeles Police Department chief Charlie Beck told City News Service Tuesday that his department is taking the threats "very seriously" ahead of the film's release. "We will take extra precautions during the holidays and at theaters. We're very aware of the controversy surrounding Sony studios so we'll take that into account. I won't get into the details of all of that, but suffice it to say we're aware of it and we'll take appropriate action."

Franco and Rogen were set for a number of appearances, including stops on Watch What Happens Live, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.