Hugh Jackman as Wolverine
Digital News Report- The latest installment of the X-men franchise, X-men Origins: Wolverine, has been leaked online through popular bit torrent sites. The film isn’t scheduled to be released in theatres until May 1st. Though leaked films and television shows are not exactly rare, the type of film and the high quality of the released copy make this leak unique and very concerning for studio execs. Summer blockbusters are very rarely leaked and in the few occasions that they are, such as 2003’s Hulk, it could spell disaster.
“The source of the initial leak and any subsequent postings will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” a Fox representative said in a statement. The film was downloaded approximately 100,000 times since it’s leak on Tuesday. The leak spread too fast for authorities to keep up.
The leaked film has caused an uproar for not only Fox, but among internet critics as well. Many critics who go the leaked film gave it dire reviews, which could spell trouble for a potential summer blockbuster. However, some websites, such as Ain’t It Cool News, have refused to review the leaked copy, claiming, “that’s not how the director ever intended for the movie to be screened.”
Fox stated that they, are encouraged by the support of fansites condemning piracy and this illegal posting and pointing out that such theft undermines the enormous efforts of the filmmakers and actors and, above all, hurts fans of the film.”
The source of the leak has still not been determined.
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