"The Interview" is getting time on the big screen this Christmas after all.

In a statement Tuesday, Sony confirmed that it will be releasing the film in "limited release" in the United States of Christmas Day.

"We have never given up on releasing The Interview and we're excited our movie will be in a number of theaters on Christmas Day," said Michael Lynton, Chairman and CEO of Sony Entertainment. "At the same time, we are continuing our efforts to secure more platforms and more theaters so that this movie reaches the largest possible audience."

Sony initially put the movie's release on ice after threats of terrorist attacks from hackers who stole and released countless documents — many embarrassing — from the studio last month. The attack, which the U.S. government has attributed to hackers backed by North Korea, was allegedly prompted by the comedy, which revolves around two Americans' plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The studio did not say how many theaters will be a part of the release. A Twitter message from the chief executive of Alamo Drafthouse, a chain of movie theaters founded in Austin, Texas, with several national locations, confirmed that that chain will be a part of the film's release.

Another cinema, the Plaza Theater in Atlanta, also said on Twitter that it will be screening the film on Christmas.

The studio has been the target of harsh criticism following its decision to pull the film. Last week, President Barack Obama called the decision "a mistake."

Lynton did not address the question of whether the studio will release the film online, over on-demand streaming services. But he did indicate this is not the last we'll hear of the film.

"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," Lynton said.

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By Hayley Tsukayama