When news first broke of Fox’s upcoming May 1 summer tent pole X-Men Origins: Wolverine leaking online it was April Fools Day and most sites were posting one or two spoof stories so I wasn’t immediately positive it was true. Of course, the story made all the major dailies as well as television news programs and was obviously not a joke. The news was coming fast and furious, and I decided to just let it all die down and see how the dust settled. Well, the dust certainly hasn’t settled as stories continue to surface claiming exclusive news and interviews with those in the know.
Entertainment Weekly just ran an interview with Tom Rothman, chairman of Twentieth Century Fox, in which he says, “The version that went out is unfinished. It’s about 10 minutes shorter, doesn’t have key scenes, it wasn’t edited, and none of the effects shots were in any remotely final form,” Rothman tells EW. “It’s a complete misrepresentation of the film and is deeply unfair to the people who have worked on it for years.”
On top of Rothman’s comments, Fox released the following statement late on Wednesday, April 1:
Last night, a stolen, incomplete and early version of X-Men Origins: Wolverine was posted illegally on websites. It was without many effects and had missing scenes and temporary sound and music. We immediately contacted the appropriate legal authorities and had it removed. We forensically mark our content so we can identify sources that make it available or download it. The source of the initial leak and any subsequent postings will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law – the courts have handed down significant criminal sentences for such acts and the last person who committed such a crime is still in jail. The FBI and the MPAA also are actively investigating this crime. We 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 the fans of the film.
Personally, I hope they find those responsible and do prosecute to the fullest extent of the law. I know it is popular for the fanboy hate-mongers to look at this as Fox screwing up yet again, but such a notion is silly and I have to deal with it firsthand. As one of the few online critics in Seattle, Fox screenings are always closely guarded, even with press and especially with online press. The difference being, these screenings are guarded merely because they don’t want an onliner to leak an early review of their films. Considering this is a studio so intent on protecting their films in this manner I have a very hard time believing Fox specifically left any gaping holes in their post production pipeline.
The only explanation, and the avenue it appears the FBI and MPAA are looking into closest, are the post-production houses assisting with the completion of the film. I have no idea why someone would do this, some have speculated it as some sort of middle-finger to Fox by a potentially disgruntled employee, but if you work in the industry (and how can this not be an inside job?) don’t you realize you are only hurting yourself? As a matter of fact, I wonder if the online rubes throwing the middle finger to Fox and the ones downloading and bad-mouthing the movie realize this hurts all movie lovers.
I have never understood how people can find satisfaction in downloading illegal copies of films whether they are supposed DVD quality or not and how they find the time to do it. Downloading a four-minute song from iTunes oftentimes takes longer than I want it to, I couldn’t imagine downloading a 90 minute movie and then having to sit at my computer and watch it would make it even that much worse. And then to find out the effects aren’t even completed? Where is the enjoyment in that?
I know I am in the minority when it comes to thinking Wolverine looks like a lot of fun based on the Comic Con footage I saw and the trailer. I guess right now I am just curious to see how this whole thing plays out considering this isn’t like 2007 when copies of Hostel 2 leaked online. By comparison Hostel 2 cost about $10 million to make… Wolverine has got to be at least $150 million.
As far as how much this will hurt the box-office potential, I think it all depends on how much people like the film. I personally believe opening weekend is going to be just as big, if not bigger than it would have been originally. Whether you saw the leaked work-print or not if you are someone that goes to blockbuster movies on opening weekend I don’t see how you skip this one. After all, don’t you now want to see what was in that empty space where something cool was supposed to be and what it actually looked like?
However, this is where the film will be judged as well. If Wolverine is deemed a good movie I don’t see the box-office getting hurt one bit. Those that watched it illegally and would have normally gone will still go and I believe those that watched it illegally and wouldn’t have gone will now be more likely to go. But, if the movie is considered to be bad it is going to suffer miserably. However you look at that is up to you, but I can’t help but believe the entire movie industry from the filmmakers to the audience were hurt by this incident and only time will tell how much.
NOTE: The video above is of Wolverine director Gavin Hood addressing the stories spawned from movie websites suggesting Rothman was pressuring him to make Wolverine a lot less dark and a lot more kid-friendly. It comes from The Hollywood Reporter.
