Updated 9:55am: The US is seeking help from an unlikely partner in the wake of a cyber attack on Sony Pictures.

International relations expert Robert Patman says President Obama is reaching out to a number of parties to back allegations North Korea is behind the attack.

Among them, is China, which Robert Patman says is the elephant in the room.

"The United States has in the passed accused China of being involved for conniving in cyber security attacks on US corporations as well as Government agencies."

Robert Patman says specialists are questioning whether North Korea could have acted alone in this attack.

He says many cyber attacks from North Korea would have to go through Chinese operated telecommunications networks, giving China the ability to block efforts for such attacks.

Sony to release 'The Interview'

Sony Pictures is promising the controversial movie it pulled from distribution in the wake of hacking threats will see the light of day.

Company lawyer David Boies insists Sony had no choice but to cancel the theatrical release of The Interview after America's top five theatre chains pulled the film from their lineups.

"It will be distributed.

"How it's going to be distributed, I don't think anybody knows quite yet but it will be distributed."