Among the demands made by hackers who broke into the online systems of Sony Pictures is that the company not release “The Interview,” a movie that makes fun of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. The film could easily bring in $100 million in the United States and more overseas.

“The Interview” stars two of Hollywood’s more bankable actors — Seth Rogin and James Franco. Box Office Mojo predicted the movie starring the two will bring in $90 million over the course of the holidays. “The Interview” is scheduled to be released on Christmas Day.

Editors at Box Office Mojo pointed out:

The Interview arrives seven months after Neighbors, which became star Seth Rogen’s highest-grossing live-action movie ever with $150.1 million. It also marks the second directorial outing for Rogen and Evan Goldberg after last Summer’s This is the End, which also topped $100 million.

Based on the elaborate sets in the movie and the amount the two stars were likely paid, “The Interview” could have cost as much as $50 million to make. That would leave Sony Corp. (NYSE: SNE) in a large financial hole if the movie is not released.

Sony’s dilemma does not have a precedent. Hackers have dug so deep into Sony Picture’s digital storage that threats against employees have a chance of being true. And the hackers may have more records about Sony Pictures operations, and details about executives and stars, that the release of this additional information could cause more terrible damage. There is a chance that versions of some of Sony Picture’s other movies could be released prematurely and distributed on filing sharing services — another threat to sales and profits.

Sony may have to pull “The Interview” if the progress the hackers have made spreads. The studio’s short-term future is at stake, and it as few if any options.

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