Sony Pictures Entertainment probably no longer has sole control over distribution elsewhere in the world. This close to the original planned release date, they

Sony Pictures Entertainment probably no longer has sole control over distribution elsewhere in the world. This close to the original planned release date, they likely have deals in place for nearly every other region, and thus partners to work with to arrange for release. In fact, it's entirely possible that those deals were in place before filming even began, and some money may have changed hands at that time, helping to finance the film. In short, there's almost certainly a partner of Sony in other countries that Sony has obligations to. Sony can't just alter those deals at will like it can alter its own plans in North America.