The decision by CIA and DoD follows the demand made by Republican Congressman, Peter King, who is chairman of the Homeland Security Committee.

King said he received a December 23 letter from the DoD inspector general informing him that, following an initial review, the inspector general for intelligence and special program assessments has launched a formal investigation into "actions taken by defense department personnel related to the release of information to the filmmakers".

In another letter CIA said it is currently developing "a written policy to create a single point of reference that will govern future interactions with the entertainment industry".

The film was originally reported to have a planned release of October 2012, just a month before the November 2012 elections.