Does Sony hack spell the end for overseas villains?

Hollywood loves its overseas villains. Evil forces from Russia, China and North Korea have tirelessly menaced our big-screen heroes in recent years. But, in the wake of the startling cancellation of The Interview, an entire species of movie baddies might be in danger of extinction.

One film has already bit the dust.

Pyongyang, an adaption of a graphic novel set in North Korea, was given the axe this week after distributor Fox abandoned the project and producer New Regency was forced to cancel any plans. Director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) had imagined the project about an animator who goes to North Korea for work and is accused of espionage as a starring vehicle for Steve Carell.