has caught the attention of Pyongyang. It warned that the release of the film, which

is due out in the fall, would be an "act of war."

The co-director of the movie says Pyongyang is over-reacting.

Kwon Soa reports. Could a comedy movie trigger a war?

According to a North Korean foreign ministry spokesperson, yes.

North Korea has come out all guns blazing against the first-ever American movie dealing

with its leader Kim Jong-un. "The Interview" is an action-comedy that centers

on how a talk show host and his producer, played by James Franco and Seth Rogen, embark

on a CIA mission to assassinate Kim. Rogen, who also co-directed the movie, says

he was inspired by journalists making trips to the communist country and hypothetical

discussions on how they would be in the ideal position to assassinate the world's most dangerous

people. But, as can be seen in the trailer, the movie

is hardly sinister in nature. However, it was enough for North Korea to

call the movie an "act of terrorism" and an "act of war".

Pyongang's foreign ministry spokesperson threatened "merciless" retaliation if the film is released.

Seth Rogen is not taking the threat too seriously. Upon hearing of the North's reaction to the

teaser, Rogen tweeted "People don't usually want to kill me for one of my movies until

after they've paid 12 bucks for it." Days before the North's threat, Rogen had

tweeted "Apparently Kim Jong-un plans on watching 'The Interview'. I hope he likes it "

"The Interview" is expected to hit big screens in the U.S. in October.

No word yet on whether it will be released in South Korea.

Kwon Soa, Arirang News.